Relationships between antioxidant activity, color, and flavor compounds of crystal malt extracts.

Aqueous extracts were prepared from five barley crystal malts (color range 15-440 degrees EBC, European Brewing Convention units). Antioxidant activity was determined by using the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(*)(+)) radical cation scavenging method. Antioxidant activity increased with increasing color value although the rate of increase decreased with increasing color value. Color was measured in CIELAB space. Extracts of the 15, 23, and 72 degrees EBC malts followed the same dilution pathway as did the 148 degrees EBC sample at higher dilution levels, indicating that they could each be used to give the same color by appropriate dilution. The 440 degrees EBC sample followed a different dilution pathway, indicating that different compounds were responsible for color in this extract. Fifteen selected volatile compounds were monitored using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Levels of methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal were highest for the 72 degrees EBC sample. When odor threshold values of the selected compounds were taken into account, 3-methylbutanal was the most important contributor to flavor. Relationships between levels of the lipid oxidation products, hexanal and (E)-2-nonenal, and antioxidant activity were complex, and increasing antioxidant activity for samples in the range of 15-148 degrees EBC did not result in reduced levels of these lipid-derived compounds. When different colored malt extracts were diluted to give the same a* and b* values, calculated antioxidant activity and amounts of 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, and (E)-2-nonenal decreased with increasing degrees EBC value.     

Interactions of soluble peptides and proteins from skeletal muscle on the release of volatile compounds

The ability of skeletal dipeptides (carnosine and anserine) and a sarcoplasmic protein (myoglobin) to interact with key flavor compounds (hexanal, octanal, methional, 2-pentanone, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal) has been studied using the solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique. Conditions for SPME analysis (fiber coating, sampling time, and linearity of detection) were optimized. The effect of pH on the binding was also investigated. Thermodynamic models were applied to evaluate the binding parameters n (number of binding sites), K (affinity constant), and DeltaG (Gibb's free energy) to all of the flavor compounds studied, and they showed an absence of cooperative effect. Carnosine was the peptide with the highest affinity for all of the volatile compounds except 2-pentanone. Its interaction with hexanal and methional was significantly affected by pH. Anserine showed a lower level of interactions with hexanal, methional, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal, whereas myoglobin interacted with only hexanal and 2-methylbutanal. Differences in aroma retention can thus result in different sensory perceptions of muscle foods.     

Analysis of aldehydes in beer using solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new, fast, sensitive, and solventless extraction technique was developed in order to analyze beer carbonyl compounds. The method was based on solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization. A derivatization agent, O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBOA), was absorbed onto a divinyl benzene/poly(dimethylsiloxane) 65-microm fiber and exposed to the headspace of a vial with a beer sample. Carbonyl compounds selectively reacted with PFBOA, and the oximes formed were desorbed into a gas chromatograph injection port and quantified by mass spectrometry. This method provided very high reproducibility and linearity. When it was used for the analysis of aged beers, nine aldehydes were detected: 2-methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, pentanal, hexanal, furfural, methional, phenylacetaldehyde, and (E)-2-nonenal.     

Volatile flavor components of rice cakes.

Volatiles were obtained from commercially prepared and laboratory-prepared rice cakes using high-flow dynamic headspace isolation with Tenax trapping. Analysis was carried out by capillary GC/MS. More than 60 compounds were identified. Major volatiles included 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, furfuryl alcohol, 2, 5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methylpyrazine, pyrazine, hexanal, furfural, pentanol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (acetoin), and ethyl-3, 6-dimethylpyrazine. Although not ideally applicable to a dry product, concentration/threshold ratios indicated that the compounds with a high probability of contributing to the aroma and flavor included 3-methylbutanal, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 4-vinylguaiacol, hexanal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 2-methylbutanal, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 1-octen-3-ol, and 1-octen-3-one.     

Contribution of 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde to the worty flavor of alcohol-free beers

Alcohol-free beers are usually criticized for two major defects: a lack of fruity aroma and a strong worty flavor. 3-Methylbutanal and 2-methylbutanal are described in the literature as being predominantly responsible for the worty taste. Although detected in large amounts in most malt and wort extracts, both compounds have proven unable to confer worty taste to beers. In this work, we extracted volatiles from wort with a Likens-Nickerson microextractor. The resulting extract had a strong worty aroma. Following GC/MS and GC/olfactometry analysis, 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde turned out to be the key feature since it remained the most organoleptically active compound through extract dilution. In vitro assays showed that 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde is a substrate for several Saccharomyces cerevisiae reducing enzymes. Screening of various strains led us to conclude that the higher the 3-methylbutanal reductase activity, the higher the 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde reductase activity. Monitoring of 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde concentration through an in vivo cold contact process has also been undertaken.     

Formation of volatile compounds during heating of spice paprika (Capsicum annuum) powder

Spice paprika (red pepper; Capsicum annuum) is the most cultivated spice worldwide and is used mainly for its color and pungency. However, current research is also focusing on the flavor as an important parameter. This paper deals with the kinetics of the formation of those volatiles that indicate a decrease in spice paprika quality due to Maillard reaction, hydrolytic reactions, and oxidative degradation reactions of lipids such as fatty acids and carotenoids. Spice paprika volatiles were quantitatively analyzed by means of headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The kinetics of their formation were investigated, and the respective activation energies determined. Strecker aldehyde, acetone, and methanol formation followed a pseudo-zero-order reaction kinetic, and formation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was characterized by a first-order kinetic. The activation energies determined were between 86.3 and 101.8 for the Strecker aldehydes acetaldehyde (AA), 2-methylpropanal (2-MP), 3-methylbutanal (3-MB), and 2-methylbutanal (2-MB), 130.7 for acetone, 114.2 for methanol, and 109.7 kJ/mol for DMS. The amounts of Strecker aldehydes formed were correlated to the concentrations of the corresponding free amino acids present in the samples. The formation of hexanal and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one in Capsicum annuum during processing was confirmed, and the formation of beta-ionone was probably described for the first time. During heating, the concentration of hexanal increased rapidly. The formation of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one confirms that Capsicum annuum fruits contain lycopene.     

Use of Tetragenococcus halophilus as a starter culture for flavor improvement in fish sauce fermentation

The potential of Tetragenococcus halophilus as a starter culture for flavor improvement in fish sauce fermentation was elucidated. Four strains of T. halophilus isolated from fish sauce mashes were inoculated to anchovy mixed with 25% NaCl with an approximate cell count of 10(6) CFU/mL. The α-amino content of 6-month-old fish sauce samples inoculated with T. halophilus was 780-784 mM. The addition of T. halophilus MRC10-1-3 and T. halophilus MCD10-5-10 resulted in a reduction of histamine (P < 0.05). Fish sauce inoculated with T. halophilus showed high contents of total amino acids with predominantly high glutamic acid. Major volatile compounds in fish sauce were 2-methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, and benzaldehyde. T. halophilus-inoculated fish sauce samples demonstrated the ability to reduce dimethyl disulfide, a compound contributing to a fecal note. The use of T. halophilus for fish sauce fermentation improves amino acid profiles and volatile compounds as well as reduces biogenic amine content of a fish sauce product.     

Volatile compounds in Hispánico cheese manufactured using a mesophilic starter,a thermophilic starter,and bacteriocin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis INIA 415

The effect of the addition of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis INIA 415, a strain harboring the structural genes of nisin Z and lacticin 481, on the formation of volatile compounds in Hispánico cheese manufactured with a mesophilic starter or with the mesophilic starter and a thermophilic starter was investigated. Addition of bacteriocin-producing L. lactis subsp. lactis INIA 415 to milk enhanced the formation of 2-methyl-propanal, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-octanol, 2-butanone, and 2,3-butanedione. On the other hand, addition of thermophilic starter enhanced the formation of acetaldehyde, ethanol, 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, 2-butanone, and 2,3-butanedione in Hispánico cheese. Stepwise discriminant analysis using the relative abundances of volatile compounds classified cheeses by type of starter, with function 1 related to thermophilic starter and function 2 to bacteriocin producer.     

Use of gas chromatography-olfactometry to identify key odorant compounds in dark chocolate. Comparison of samples before and after conching

After vacuum distillation and liquid-liquid extraction, the volatile fractions of dark chocolates were analyzed by gas chromatography-olfactometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Aroma extract dilution analysis revealed the presence of 33 potent odorants in the neutral/basic fraction. Three of these had a strong chocolate flavor: 2-methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal. Many others were characterized by cocoa/praline-flavored/nutty/coffee notes: 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, 3(or 2),5-dimethyl-2(or 3)-ethylpyrazine, 3,5(or 6)-diethyl-2-methylpyrazine, and furfurylpyrrole. Comparisons carried out before and after conching indicate that although no new key odorant is synthesized during the heating process, levels of 2-phenyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal, Furaneol, and branched pyrazines are significantly increased while most Strecker aldehydes are lost by evaporation.     

Aroma components of acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein made by partial hydrolysis of rice bran protein

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) was prepared from rice bran protein concentrate (RBPc) by partial hydrolysis with aqueous 0.5 N HCl at 95 degrees C for 12 or 36 h (H-RBPc-12 and H-RBPc-36, respectively). Aroma components of the RBPc and the HVPs were characterized by gas chromatography-olfactometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, aroma extract dilution analysis, and calculation of odor activity values (OAVs). The predominant odorants in RBPc were 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, 2-aminoacetophenone, (E)-2-nonenal, phenylacetaldehyde, and beta-damascenone. Among these, the odor of 2-aminoacetophenone, present at 59 ng/g in RBPc, was reminiscent of the typical odor of RBPc. Most of the predominant odorants had higher log3FD factors in the H-RBPc-36 as compared to H-RBPc-12. Aroma impact compounds of H-RBPc-12 and H-RBPc-36 were 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)furanone, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)furanone (sotolon), vanillin, 3-methylbutanal, (E)-2-nonenal, 4-vinyl-2-methoxyphenol (p-vinylguaiacol), and beta-damascenone. Guaiacol had the highest OAV values of 2770 and 17650 in H-RBPc-12 and H-RBPc-36, respectively.     

Changes in key aroma compounds of Criollo cocoa beans during roasting

Application of a comparative aroma extraction dilution analysis on unroasted and roasted Criollo cocoa beans revealed 42 aroma compounds in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 1-4096 for the unroasted and 4-8192 for the roasted cocoa beans. While the same compounds were present in the unroasted and roasted cocoa beans, respectively, these clearly differed in their intensity. For example, 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid (rancid) and acetic acid (sour) showed the highest FD factors in the unroasted beans, while 3-methylbutanal (malty), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (caramel-like), and 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid (sweaty) were detected with the highest FD factors in the roasted seeds. Quantitation of 30 odorants by means of stable isotope dilution assays followed by a calculation of odor activity values (ratio of the concentration/odor threshold) revealed concentrations above the odor threshold for 22 compounds in the unroasted and 27 compounds in the roasted cocoa beans, respectively. In particular, a strong increase in the concentrations of the Strecker aldehydes 3-methylbutanal and phenylacetaldehyde as well as 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone was measured, suggesting that these odorants should contribute most to the changes in the overall aroma after roasting. Various compounds contributing to the aroma of roasted cocoa beans, such as 3-methylbutanoic acid, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, and 2-phenylethanol, were already present in unroasted, fermented cocoa beans and were not increased during roasting.     

Analysis of volatile compounds from various types of barley cultivars

We identified volatile compounds of barley flour and determined the variation in volatile compound profiles among different types and varieties of barley. Volatile compounds of 12 barley and two wheat cultivars were analyzed using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography. Twenty-six volatiles comprising aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and a furan were identified in barley. 1-Octen-3-ol, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methylbutanal, hexanal, 2-hexenal, 2-heptenal, 2-nonenal, and decanal were identified as key odorants in barley as their concentration exceeded their odor detection threshold in water. Hexanal (46-1269 microg/L) and 1-pentanol (798-1811 microg/L) were the major volatile compounds in barley cultivars. In wheat, 1-pentanol (723-748 microg/L) was a major volatile. Hulled barley had higher total volatile, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol, and furan contents than hulless barley, highlighting the importance of the husk in barley grain aroma. The proanthocyanidin-free varieties generally showed higher total volatile and aldehyde contents than wild-type varieties, potentially due to decreased antioxidant activity by the absence of proanthocyanidins.     

The chemical characterization of the aroma of dessert and sparkling white wines (Pedro Ximénez, Fino, Sauternes, and Cava) by gas chromatography-olfactometry and chemical quantitative analysis

Wines from Pedro Ximénez (PX), Fino, botrytized Sauternes, and Cava were screened by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), and the most relevant aroma compounds were further quantified in six different wines of each group. The comparison of GC-O and quantitative data with similar data from white young wines has made it possible to identify the aroma compounds potentially responsible for the specific sensory characteristics of these wines. Results have shown that all these wines are relatively rich in 3-methylbutanal, phenylacetaldehyde, methional, sotolon, and the ethyl esters of 2-, 3-, and 4-methylpentanoic acids. While Cava has a less specific aroma profile halfway between these special wines and young white wines, PX is richest in 3-methylbutanal, furfural, beta-damascenone, ethyl cyclohexanoate, and sotolon; Fino in acetaldehyde, diacetyl, ethyl esters of branched aliphatic acids with four, five, or six carbon atoms, and 4-ethylguaiacol; and Sauternes in phenylacetaldehyde, 3-mercaptohexanol, and 4-methyl-4-mercaptopentanone.     

Identification of the key aroma compounds in cocoa powder based on molecular sensory correlations

Isolation of the volatile fraction from cocoa powder (50 g; 20% fat content) by a careful extraction/distillation process followed by application of an aroma extract dilution analysis revealed 35 odor-active constituents in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 8-4096. Among them, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (caramel-like), 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid (sweaty, rancid), dimethyl trisulfide (cooked cabbage), 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (potato-chip-like), and phenylacetaldehyde (honey-like) showed the highest FD factors. Quantitation of 31 key odorants by means of stable isotope dilution assays, followed by a calculation of their odor activity values (OAVs) (ratio of concentration to odor threshold) revealed OAVs>100 for the five odorants acetic acid (sour), 3-methylbutanal (malty), 3-methylbutanoic acid, phenylacetaldehyde, and 2-methylbutanal (malty). In addition, another 19 aroma compounds showed OAVs>1. To establish their contribution to the overall aroma of the cocoa powder, these 24 compounds were added to a reconstructed cocoa matrix in exactly the same concentrations as they occurred in the cocoa powder. The matrix was prepared from deodorized cocoa powder, which was adjusted to 20% fat content using deodorized cocoa butter. The overall sensory evaluation of this aroma recombinate versus the cocoa powder clearly indicated that the 24 compounds represented the typical sweet, cocoa-like odor of the real sample.     

Quantitation of odor-active compounds in rye flour and rye sourdough using stable isotope dilution assays

Application of the aroma extract dilution analysis on a flavor distillate prepared from freshly ground rye flour (type 1150) revealed 1-octen-3-one (mushroom-like), methional (cooked potato), and (E)-2-nonenal (fatty, green) with the highest flavor dilution (FD) factors among the 26 odor-active volatiles identified. Quantitative measurements performed by stable isotope dilution assays and a comparison to the odor thresholds of selected odorants in starch suggested methional, (E)-2-nonenal, and hexanal as contributors to the flour aroma, because their concentrations exceeded their odor thresholds by factors >100. Application of the same approach on a rye sourdough prepared from the same batch of flour revealed 3-methylbutanal, vanillin, 3-methylbutanoic acid, methional, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 2,3-butanedione, and acetic acid as important odorants; their concentrations exceeded their odor thresholds in water and starch by factors >100. A comparison of the concentrations of 20 odorants in rye flour and the sourdough made therefrom indicated that flour, besides the fermentation process, is an important source of aroma compounds in dough. However, 3-methylbutanol, acetic acid, and 2,3-butanedione were much increased during fermentation, whereas (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and 2-methylbutanal were decreased. Similar results were obtained for five different flours and sourdoughs, respectively, although the amounts of some odorants in the flour and the sourdough differed significantly within batches.     

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.     

Interaction of soluble peptides and proteins from skeletal muscle with volatile compounds in model systems as affected by curing agents

The effect of curing agents (salt, glucose, nitrate, nitrite, and ascorbic acid) on the binding of skeletal peptides (carnosine and anserine) and a sarcoplasmic protein (myoglobin) with key flavor compounds (hexanal, octanal, 2-pentanone, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal) has been studied by solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Curing agents had an effect on the interaction process between carnosine and volatile compounds, which was higher than the interactions observed with anserine and myoglobin. Sodium chloride decreased the interaction of volatiles with carnosine except for octanal, which was increased, and 2-pentanone, which was unaltered. Ascorbic acid exerted the highest effect by decreasing the interaction of carnosine with all of the volatile compounds except for octanal and 2-pentanone. The interaction with anserine was affected by sodium chloride, nitrate, and nitrite, producing a decrease in the interaction with hexanal, octanal, and methional. Finally, sodium chloride, glucose, and nitrite increased the interaction of myoglobin with hexanal, octanal, and methional. The effect of simulated stages of the curing process on the binding was also studied. A combined effect of the curing agents resulted in a change in the relative proportions of volatile compounds that can lead to different flavor perceptions of dry-cured meat products.     

Photodegradation of Bisphenol A by Titana Nanoparticles in Mesoporous MCM-41

Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A (2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, BPA), a representative endocrine-disrupting compound, was carried out in the presence of the Ti-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve in this investigation. The degradation rate was strongly dependent on those factors such as the catalyst, catalyst amount, radiation time, and pH value. The photolysis reaction was found to follow the Langmuir?CHinshelwood model. After the photocatalytic treatment, decomposition of BPA rendered five intermediates as follows: 2-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, 4-hydroxyacetophenone, 1,1-diethoxyethane, isobutanol, and 3-methylbutanal, which could be the direct evidence supporting our proposal for the degradation mechanism.     

Characterization of the most odor-active compounds in an American Bourbon whisky by application of the aroma extract dilution analysis

Application of the aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) on the volatile fraction carefully isolated from an American Bourbon whisky revealed 45 odor-active areas in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 32-4096 among which (E)-beta-damascenone and delta-nonalactone showed the highest FD factors of 4096 and 2048, respectively. With FD factors of 1024, (3S,4S)-cis-whiskylactone, gamma-decalactone, 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (vanillin) additionally contributed to the overall vanilla-like, fruity, and smoky aroma note of the spirit. Application of GC-Olfactometry on the headspace above the whisky revealed 23 aroma-active odorants among which 3-methylbutanal, ethanol, and 2-methylbutanal were identified as additional important aroma compounds. Compared to published data on volatile constituents in whisky, besides ranking the whisky odorants on the basis of their odor potency, 13 aroma compounds were newly identified in this study: ethyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate, (E)-2-heptenal, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, (E)-2-decenal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, ethyl phenylacetate, 4-methyl acetophenone, alpha-damascone, 2-phenylethyl propanoate, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, trans-ethyl cinnamate, and (Z)-6-dodeceno-gamma-lactone.     

Aromatic profile of aqueous banana essence and banana fruit by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O)

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) were used to determine the aromatic composition and aroma active components of commercial banana essence and fresh banana fruit paste. Totals of 43 and 26 compounds were quantified in commercial banana essence and fresh banana fruit paste, respectively. Five new components in commercial banana essence were identified as methyl butyrate, 2,3-butanediol diacetate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylethylbutyrate, 1-methylbutyl isobutyrate, and ethyl 3-hydroxyhexanoate. A total of 42 components appear to contribute to the aromatic profile in banana. Isoamyl acetate, 2-pentanol acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methylbutanal, acetal, isobutyl acetate, hexanal, ethyl butyrate, 2-heptanol, and butyl butyrate had high concentrations and were most detected by GC-O panelists in the commercial banana essence. Volatile components found only in fresh banana fruit paste that were detected by aroma panelists include E-2-hexenal, limonene, and eugenol.