Identification of potent odorants in Japanese green tea (Sen-cha)

Application of aroma extract dilution analysis using the volatile fraction of a Japanese green tea (Sen-cha) sample resulted in the detection of 36 odor-active peaks with flavor dilution (FD) factors between 10 and 5000. Thirty-six potent odorants were identified from 36 odor-active peaks by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and/or the multidimensional GC/MS (MDGC/MS) system. Among these components, 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol (meaty), (Z)-1, 5-octadien-3-one (metallic), 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone (meaty), (E,E)-2,4-decadienal (fatty), beta-damascone (honey-like), beta-damascenone (honey-like), (Z)-methyl jasmonate (floral), and indole (animal-like) showed the highest FD factors. Therefore, these odorants were the most important components of the Japanese green tea odor. In addition, 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol, 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone, methional, 2-ethyl-3, 5-dimethylpyrazine, (Z)-4-decenal, beta-damascone, maltol, 5-octanolide, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, and 2-aminoacetophenone were newly identified compounds in the green tea.     

Identification of potent odorants in different green tea varieties using flavor dilution technique

Two kinds of pan-fired green teas (Japanese Kamairi-cha and Chinese Longing tea) were compared with the common Japanese green tea (Sen-cha). Application of the aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) using the volatile fraction of the Sen-cha, Kamairi-cha and Longing tea infusions revealed 32, 51, and 52 odor-active peaks with flavor dilution factors between 16 and 1024, respectively. (Z)-1,5-Octadien-3-one (metallic, geranium-like), 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone (meaty, black currant-like), methional (potato-like), (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal (cucumber-like), and 3-methylnonane-2,4-dione (green, fruity, hay-like) showed high flavor dilution factors in all varieties. In addition, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (popcorn-like), 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (nutty), 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine (nutty), and 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline (popcorn-like) belonged to the most potent odorants only in the pan-fired green teas. Among these odorants, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline were identified for the first time among the tea volatiles.     

Identification of odor-active 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate in volatile fraction of roasted coffee brew isolated by steam distillation under reduced pressure

In a roasted Arabica coffee brew, the potent roasty odor quality compound was identified as 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate by comparison of its Kovats gas chromatography retention index, mass spectrum, and odor quality to those of the synthetic authentic compound. 3-Mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate has been identified for the first time in the coffee, and according to the results of the aroma extract dilution analysis, the contribution of this compound to the flavor of the roasted coffee brew varied depending on the degree of the coffee bean roasting. The concentration of this compound in the coffee brews as with 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate increased with an increase in the degree of roasting. However, the slope of the amount of both esters was different, and 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate hardly increased with a low degree of roasting at more than a 21 luminosity (L)-value, but it rapidly increased when the roasting degree of the coffee beans reached the L-value of 18. These results suggested that the contribution of 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate to the overall flavor is peculiar to the flavor of the highly roasted coffee.     

Effect of pH on the thermal stability of potent roasty odorants, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl esters, in coffee drink

The effect of pH on the thermal stability of potent roasty odorants, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl esters, in coffee drinks was investigated. The concentration of 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate in the coffee drink was drastically decreased during the heat processing. However, the residual ratio of this compound in the coffee drink adjusted to pH 5.0 was higher than that of pH 6.5. On the other hand, the residual ratios of 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate showed high values in the coffee drinks adjusted to both pHs. In the pH range of 3-7, the residual ratios of 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate in aqueous model solutions varied depending on the pH value. It had a thermal stability maximum at pH 4.0, while 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl acetate showed stability during heat processing over all the pH values tested. In addition, the residual ratios of the formate and acetate esters, which were composed of various alcohol derivatives, showed the same tendency as that of the 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl esters. These results suggested that the low thermal stability and pH dependence of 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate are based on the structure of the formate ester.     

Investigation of the change in the flavor of a coffee drink during heat processing

Heat processing is responsible for the change in the flavor of a coffee drink. In this study, the application of gas chromatography-olfactometry of headspace samples (GCO-H) using the vapor fraction before and after heat processing of the coffee samples resulted in the detection of 12 odor-active peaks for which the flavor dilution (FD) factors changed. Eight potent odorants were identified from these peaks by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Among these components, methanethiol (putrid), acetic acid (sour), 3-methylbutanoic acid (sour), 2-furfuryl methyl disulfide (meaty), and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (caramel-like) increased after heating of the coffee sample, whereas 2-furfurylthiol (roasty), methional (potato-like), and 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate (roasty) decreased compared with the coffee sample before heat treatment. In addition, extensive studies have been carried out on the pH effects on the change in the concentration of 2-furfurylthiol during heat processing and in the pH range of 5-7; it was found that the concentration of this compound in the model solutions had significantly changed.     

Assessment of the aroma impact of major odor-active thiols in pan-roasted white sesame seeds by calculation of odor activity values

Eleven odor-active thiols, namely, 2-methyl-1-propene-1-thiol, (Z)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (Z)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-mercapto-3-pentanone, 4-mercapto-3-hexanone, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, and 2-methyl-3-thiophenethiol, recently identified in an extract prepared from white sesame seeds, were quantitated in sesame using stable isotope dilution analyses. For that purpose, the following deuterium-labeled compounds were synthesized and used as internal standards in the quantitation assays: [2H6]-2-methyl-1-propene-1-thiol, [2H3]-(E)- and [2H3]-(Z)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, [2H3]-2-methyl-3-furanthiol, [2H2]-3-mercapto-2-pentanone, [2H3]-4-mercapto-3-hexanone, [2H6]-3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, and [2H3]-2-methyl-3-thiophenethiol. On the basis of the results obtained, odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as ratio of the concentration and odor threshold of the individual compounds in cooking oil. According to their high OAVs, particularly the 3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiols (OAV: 2400) and the 2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiols (OAV: 960) were identified as the most odor-active compounds in pan-roasted white sesame seeds. These compounds were therefore suggested to be mainly responsible for the characteristic but rather unstable sulfury aroma of freshly pan-roasted white sesame seeds.     

Formation of aroma compounds from ribose and cysteine during the Maillard reaction

The headspace volatiles produced from a phosphate-buffered solution (pH 5) of cysteine and a 1 + 1 mixture of ribose and [(13)C(5)]ribose, heated at 95 degrees C for 4 h, were examined by headspace SPME in combination with GC-MS. MS data indicated that fragmentation of ribose did not play a significant role in the formation of the sulfur aroma compounds 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-furfurylthiol, and 3-mercapto-2-pentanone in which the carbon skeleton of ribose remained intact. The methylfuran moiety of 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan originated from ribose, whereas the methylthio carbon atoms came partly from ribose and partly from cysteine. In 3-mercapto-2-butanone one carbon unit was split from the ribose chain. On the other hand, all carbon atoms in 3-thiophenethiol stemmed from cysteine. In another trial cysteine, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and [(13)C(5)]ribose were reacted under the same conditions. The resulting 2-methyl-3-furanthiol was mainly (13)C(5)-labeled, suggesting that it stems from ribose and that 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone is unimportant as an intermediate. Whereas 2-mercapto-3-pentanone was found unlabeled and hence originated from 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, its isomer 3-mercapto-2-pentanone was formed from both 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and ribose. A new reaction pathway from ribose via its 1,4-dideoxyosone is proposed, which explains both the formation of 2-methyl-3-furanthiol without 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone as an intermediate and a new way to form 3-mercapto-2-pentanone.     

Characterization of the key aroma compounds in the beverage prepared from Darjeeling black tea: quantitative differences between tea leaves and infusion

By application of the aroma extract dilution analysis on the volatile fraction isolated from a black tea infusion (Darjeeling Gold Selection), vanillin (vanilla-like), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (caramel), 2-phenylethanol (flowery), and (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-nonatrienal (oat-flake-like) were identified with the highest flavor dilution (FD) factors among the 24 odor-active compounds detected in the FD factor range of 4-128. Quantitative measurements performed by means of stable isotope dilution assays and a calculation of odor activity values (OAVs; ratio of concentration to odor threshold in water) revealed, in particular, the previously unknown tea constituent (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-nonatrienal as a key odorant in the infusion and confirmed the important role of linalool and geraniol for the tea aroma. An aroma recombinate performed by the 18 odorants for which OAVs > 1 were determined in their "natural" concentrations matched the overall aroma of the tea beverage. In the black tea leaves, a total of 42 odorants were identified, most of which were identical with those in the beverage prepared thereof. However, quantitative measurements indicated that, in particular, geraniol, but also eight further odorants were significantly increased in the infusion as compared to their concentration in the leaves.     

Changes in the concentrations of acrylamide, selected odorants, and catechins caused by roasting of green tea

This research aims to optimize roasted green tea (Houjicha) processing by using roasting treatments to achieve acrylamide mitigation without compromising the quality. 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine were identified as potent odorants by aroma extract dilution analysis. In preliminary sensory experiments, the desirable Houjicha flavor was produced in products roasted at 160 degrees C for 30 min and at 180 degrees C for 15 min. Under these conditions, potent odorants were formed at levels adequate for contributing to the Houjicha flavor. Acrylamide amounts in tea infusions were 2.0 and 4.0 microg/L by roasting at 160 degrees C for 30 min and at 180 degrees C for 15 min, respectively. Compared to roasting at 180 degrees C, the degradation of tea catechins was suppressed by roasting at 160 degrees C. Hence, roasting at 160 degrees C for is recommended for Houjicha processing for acrylamide mitigation, formation of potent odorants, and suppression of degradation of tea catechins.     

Effect of pH on the Maillard reaction of [13C5]xylose, cysteine, and thiamin

The influence of different pH values, ranging from 4.0 to 7.0, on the formation of sulfur volatiles in the Maillard reaction was studied using a model system with [13C5]xylose, cysteine, and thiamin. The use of 13C-labeled xylose allowed, by analysis of the mass spectra, volatiles that incorporated xylose carbons in the molecule from other carbon sources to be discerned. For 2-furaldehyde and 2-furfurylthiol, which were favored at low pH, the labeling experiments clearly indicated that xylose was the exclusive carbon source. On the other hand, xylose was virtually not involved in the formation of 3-mercapto-2-butanone, 4,5-dihydro-2-methyl-3-furanthiol, and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole, which apparently stemmed from thiamin degradation. Both xylose and thiamin seemed to significantly contribute to the formation of 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, and 2-mercapto-3-pentanone, and therefore different formation pathways must exist for each of these molecules. In general, the pH determined strongly which volatiles were formed, and to what extent. However, the relative contribution of xylose to the C-skeleton of a particular compound changed only slightly within the investigated pH range, when both xylose and thiamin were involved in the formation.     

Impact odorants of different young white wines from the Canary Islands

Five young monovarietal white wines from the Canary Islands made from Gual, Verdello, Marmajuelo, white Listán, and Malvasia grape cultivars were studied to determine the characteristics of their most important aromas and the differences among them. The study was carried out using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) to detect the potentially most important aroma compounds, which were then analyzed quantitatively by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The strongest odorants in the GC-O experiments were similar in all cases, although significant differences in intensity between samples were noted. Calculation of the odor activity values (OAVs) showed that 3-mercaptohexyl acetate was the most active odorant in the Marmajuelo and Verdello wines, as were 3-methylbutyl acetate in the Gual wine, beta-damascenone in the Malvasia wine, and ethyl octanoate in the white Listán wine. However, the most important differences between varieties were caused by the three mercaptans (3-mercaptohexyl acetate, 3-mercaptohexanol, and 4-methyl-4-mercapto-2-pentanone) and the vinylphenols (4-vinylphenol and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol). The correlation between the olfactometric values and the OAVs was satisfactory in the cases when the compound eluted in the GC-O system was well isolated from other odorants and had aromatic importance and the OAVs for the different wines were sufficiently different.     

Model studies on the influence of coffee melanoidins on flavor volatiles of coffee beverages

Addition of the total melanoidin fraction isolated by water extraction from medium-roasted coffee powder to a model solution containing a set of 25 aroma compounds mimicking the aroma of a coffee brew reduced, in particular, the intensity of the roasty, sulfury aroma quality. Model studies performed by static headspace analysis revealed that especially three well-known coffee odorants, that is, 2-furfurylthiol (FFT), 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, and 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, were significantly reduced in the headspace above an aqueous model solution when melanoidins were added. In particular, the low molecular weight melanoidins (1500-3000 Da) led to the most significant decrease in FFT. In contrast, for example, aldehydes remained unaffected by melanoidin addition.     

Aroma composition changes in early season grapefruit juice produced from thermal concentration

Differences in aroma components and total volatiles between a single unpasteurized Marsh grapefruit juice and its 65 Brix concentrate reconstituted to 10 Brix were examined using GC-olfactometry (GC-O) and GC-FID. Total volatiles (FID) in the reconstituted concentrate were reduced to less than 5% of initial values, but 57% of total aroma (GC-O) remained. Forty-one aroma-active compounds were observed in unpasteurized single strength juice, whereas 27 components were found in the unflavored reconstituted concentrate. Aroma-active compounds were classified into grapefruit/sulfury, sweet/fruity, fresh/citrusy, green/fatty/metallic, and cooked/meaty groups. Five of six components in the sweet/fruity and 14 of 18 green/fatty/metallic components survived thermal concentration. However, only 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone in the grapefruit/sulfury group, and linalool and nootkatone from the fresh/citrusy group, were found in the reconstituted concentrate. Methional was the only aroma compound in the cooked/meaty category found in both juice types. beta-Damascenone and 1-p-menthen-8-thiol were found only in the reconstituted concentrate. 4-Mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanol was found for the first time in grapefruit juice.     

Characterization of the aroma of a meatlike process flavoring from soybean-based enzyme-hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Defatted soybean meal was converted into enzyme-hydrolyzed vegetable protein (E-HVP) using the proteolytic enzyme Flavorzyme. Total free amino acids increased by 40-fold after enzyme hydrolysis, with leucine being the most abundant, followed by phenylalanine, lysine, glutamine/glutamic acid, and alanine. Volatile components from a meatlike process flavoring made from E-HVP were isolated by direct solvent extraction (DSE)-high vacuum transfer (HVT), dynamic headspace sampling and static headspace sampling and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-olfactometry. Aroma extract dilution analysis was used to establish a flavor dilution chromatogram of the DSE-HVT extract. Results of these complementary techniques indicated the importance of odorants of high (hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol), intermediate (2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-furanmethanethiol, and 3-(methylthiol)propanal) and low volatility (maltol and Furaneol) in the overall aroma of the meatlike process flavoring.     

Application of far-infrared irradiation in the manufacturing process of green tea

Seven kinds of green tea leaves were manufactured with far-infrared (FIR) irradiation, and the physicochemical characteristics of the green tea were determined. Appropriate FIR irradiation during the manufacturing process significantly increased the polyphenolic content of green tea. FIR irradiation at 90 degrees C for 10 min, replacing the roasting step, and of the fully processed green tea leaves (GTP3) increased the total phenol content of green tea from 475.6 to 811.1 mg/g and the total flavanol content from 175.7 to 208.7 mg/g, as compared to the control. Epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate increased from 57.68 and 9.60 mg/g in a nonirradiated control to 89.88 and 16.33 mg/g in GTP3, respectively. Ascorbic acid, caffeine, and nitrite scavenging activities were also increased in GTP3. However, the overall color change of GTP3 was negligible. These results indicate that the chemical properties of green tea are significantly affected by FIR irradiation at specific stages of the manufacturing process of green tea leaves and that this FIR irradiation results in high-quality green tea.     

New constituents related to 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione identified in green tea

The volatile constituents of two exquisite green tea varieties, Kiyosawa tea from Japan and Long Jing tea from China, were investigated in order to identify new compounds responsible for the characteristic flavor of a green tea brew. The extracts were prepared by solid-phase extraction using Oasis-HLB-cartridges. Besides the common compounds of green tea chemistry, the already described compounds 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione (1) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione (2), products of degradation of furan fatty acids, as well as three new compounds related to compound 1 were identified. These were 1-methyl-2-oxopropyl hexanoate (3), 1-methyl-2-oxoheptyl acetate (4) and 2-butyl-4,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (5). Their syntheses and spectroscopic data are reported. Compound 2 increases the sweet, creamy aroma and the characteristic mouthfeel of a green tea flavor, compounds 3 and 4 contribute to its floral, juicy notes and compound 5 exhibits an interesting sweet, buttery flavor.     

Characterization of the most odor-active compounds of Iberian ham headspace

Gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) based on detection frequency (DF) was used to characterize the most odor-active compounds from the headspace of Iberian ham. Twenty-eight odorants were identified by GC-O on two capillary columns, including aldehydes (11), sulfur-containing compounds (7), ketones (5), nitrogen-containing compounds (2), esters (2), and an alcohol. Among them, the highest odor potencies (DF values) were found for 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-heptanone, 3-methylbutanal, methanethiol, hexanal, hydrogen sulfide, 1-penten-3-one, 2-methylpropanal, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, and (E)-2-hexenal. Nine of the 28 most odor-active compounds were identified for the first time as aroma components of dry-cured ham, including hydrogen sulfide, 1-penten-3-one, (Z)-3-hexenal, 1-octen-3-one, and the meaty-smelling compounds 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-furfurylthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, and 2-propionyl-1-pyrroline.     

Characterization of epoxydecenal isomers as potent odorants in black tea (Dimbula) infusion

In a black tea (Dimbula) infusion, the potent "sweet and/or juicy" odorants were identified as the cis- and trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenals by comparison of their gas chromatography retention indices, mass spectra, and odor quality to those of the actual synthetic compounds. Of the two odorants, cis-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal has been identified for the first time in the black tea. On the basis of the aroma extract dilution analysis on the flavor distillate obtained using the solvent-assisted flavor evaporation technique from the black tea infusion, these isomers showed higher flavor dilution (FD) factors. The FD factors and concentrations of these odorants in the black tea infusion were observed to be much higher than those from Japanese green tea. In addition, the model studies showed that these odorants were generated from linoleic acid and its hydroperoxides by heating, but the generated amounts of these odorants from linoleic acid were much less than those of its hydroperoxides. It can be assumed from these results that the withering and fermentation, which are characteristic processes during the manufacturing of the black tea, which includes the enzymatic reaction such as lipoxygenase, is one of the most important factors for the formation of the epoxydecenal isomers.     

Identification of character impact odorants of different soybean lecithins.

The potent odorants of standardized, enzymatically hydrolyzed, and deoiled soybean lecithins were characterized systematically by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and olfactometry. Sixty-one odorants were identified; 53 of these odor-active compounds have not previously been reported as odorants of soybean lecithin flavor. By aroma extract dilution analysis and modified combined hedonic and response measurement the following odorants showed the highest flavor dilution factors and CHARM values: (E,E)-2, 4-decadienal (deep-fried), (E)-beta-damascenone (apple-like), 2, 3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine (roasty, earthy), (E)-2-nonenal (cardboard-like), trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal (metallic), 1-nonen-3-one (mushroom-like), 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (roasty, earthy), and 1-octen-3-one (mushroom-like). Enzymatic hydrolysis intensified especially the roasty sensation of 2, 3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, whereas deoiling effected a general significant decrease in olfactory perception on the nitrogen-containing compounds. In addition, sensory profiles of nasal and retronasal lecithin odor were performed.     

Occurrence of polyfunctional thiols in fresh lager beers

Polyfunctional thiols are known to have a strong impact on the overall aroma of many fermented foods. Surprisingly, very little data is available on their occurrence in beer. A specific extraction with p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid was performed on four different fresh light-protected lager beers. gas chromatography-olfactometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-pulsed-flame photometer detector analyses of the extracts revealed the presence of more than 10 polyfunctional thiols. All of them were absent from wort, suggesting a key role of the H(2)S excreted by yeasts. 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol, 2-mercapto-3-methylbutanol, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutanol seem to be created from hop allylic alcohols via four different mechanisms: nucleophilic substitution, addition-elimination, and radical anti-Markovnikov or electrophilic Markovnikov additions. 1,4 Addition of hydrogen sulfide to wort alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes or ketones may explain the synthesis of 1-mercapto-3-pentanol, 3-mercaptohexanol, and 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone through fermentation. Finally, 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercaptopropanol, and their corresponding acetates may derive from Ehrlich degradation of sulfur amino acids, while 2-methyl-3-furanthiol should be logically issued from Maillard reactions.