| Aroma analysis of the 2000 year-old lotus | ||
 In 1951, one of the three 2000 year-old lotus seeds discovered in the Kemigawa area of Chiba Prefecture (Japan) blossomed and became known as the "oldest flower on earth." This lotus plant was called the "Ohga Lotus". Scientists from the Shiseido Laboratories analyzed the aroma of 49 lotus species including the Ohga Lotus. Their aromatic compounds are contained in the stamen. The petals also have some odor, but the influence is minimal. Major aromatic compounds include caryophyllene, Pentadecan and 1. 4 Methoxybenzene, which is characterized by a sweet, slightly medicinal odor that gives the lotus its mystic fragrance. This aromatic compound, contained also in the essential oils of lilac, hyacinth, cherry, and peppermint, is found in smaller quantities in the Asian lotus. Interestingly, the different lotus species and degrees of hybridization can be determined by measuring the content ratio of this aromatic compound.
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