1 shows a typical chromatogram (column I) of the
low pressure steam distillate extract from microwave popped
corn. The predominance of furfural (peak 8) is readily
apparent. The material represented by peak number 1 was
identified as chloroform, which was a contaminant of the
ether used for this particular extraction. A distinct popcornlike
aroma was noted between peaks 10 and 11, but the mass
spectra taken in that region indicated a mixture of several
compounds, so that only those components present in larger
amounts could be positive11 identified. An evaluation of
retention time data showed that authentic 2-acetyl pyrazine
[which has a popcorn-like aroma in low concentrations,
Roberts (1968)l was eluted at that point. This information,
coupled with a low intensity mass spectrum obtained from a