Isolation of An Aroma Precursor of Benzaldehyde from Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita)

The cyanoglycoside, prunasin, was isolated for the first time as an aroma precursor of benzaldehyde from fresh tea leaves (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita). Prunasin was readily hydrolyzed by a crude enzyme prepared from the fresh tea leaves to liberate benzaldehyde. The isomerization of prunasin under neutral conditions was also recognized.