Volatile profiles of dry-cured meat products from three different Iberian x Duroc genotypes

Volatile profiles of two Iberian dry-cured products, dry-cured loin and ham, from three different Iberian x Duroc genotypes, was assessed. Three groups of 10 pigs, each (5 males and 5 females) from different genotypes, were studied: GEN1 = male Iberian x female Duroc1; GEN2 = male Duroc1 x female Iberian; and GEN3 = male Duroc2 x female Iberian. The genotype Duroc1 (DU1) corresponded to pigs selected for the production of dry-cured meat products (hams, loins, and shoulders), with a high level of fattening, while the genotype Duroc2 (DU2) corresponded to animals selected for meat production. Genotype slightly affected the volatile profiles of both dry-cured meat products, although dry-cured loin from GEN3 showed higher hexanal content. Dry-cured loin showed a volatile profile very different to that found in dry-cured ham. Volatile compounds of dry-cured meat products were mainly originated by lipid and protein degradation. Most of the volatile detected in both meat products came from lipid oxidation such as acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. In addition, a high proportion of volatile compounds from the Maillard reaction was found. Branched aldehydes and some sulfur and nitrogen compounds have their origin in the amino acids degradation by the Strecker reaction, while branched alcohols and acids come from the lipid oxidation of branched aldehydes. Dry-cured ham showed a higher number and a higher level of compounds with origin in protein and lipid degradation than dry-cured loin, which agrees with the longer ripening of the hams (24 months) with respect to the loins (4 months). In dry-cured loins, apart from these compounds, seasoning mixture provides high amount of volatiles, such as terpenes (from paprika and oregano) and sulfur compounds (from garlic), which have great importance in the overall aroma of this product.     

Influence of the addition of rosemary essential oil on the volatiles pattern of porcine frankfurters

The effect of the addition of increasing levels of rosemary essential oil (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) on the generation of volatile compounds in frankfurters from Iberian and white pigs was analyzed using solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Lipid-derived volatiles such as aldehydes (hexanal, octanal, nonanal) and alcohols (pentan-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, oct-1-en-3-ol) were the most abundant compounds in the headspace (HS) of porcine frankfurters. Frankfurters from different pig breeds presented different volatile profiles due to their different oxidation susceptibilities as a likely result of their fatty acid composition and vitamin E content. Rosemary essential oil showed a different effect on the generation of volatiles depending on the type of frankfurter in which they were added. In frankfurters from Iberian pigs, the antioxidant effect of the essential oil improved with increasing levels, showing the highest activity at 600 mg/kg. In contrast, 150 mg/kg of the essential oil improved the oxidative stability of frankfurters from white pigs, whereas higher levels led to no effect or a prooxidant effect. The activity of the essential oil could have been affected by the different fatty acid compositions and vitamin E contents between types of frankfurters. SPME successfully allowed the isolation and analysis of volatile terpenes from frankfurters with added rosemary essential oil including alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, l-limonene, (E)-caryophyllene, linalool, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, which might contribute to the aroma characteristics of frankfurters.     

Analysis of volatiles in porcine liver pâtés with added sage and rosemary essential oils by using SPME-GC-MS

The effect of the addition of two natural antioxidant extracts (sage and rosemary essential oils) and one synthetic (BHT) on the generation of volatile compounds in liver patés from Iberian and white pigs was analyzed using SPME-GC-MS. Lipid-derived volatiles such as aldehydes [hexanal, octanal, nonanal, hept-(Z)-4-enal, oct-(E)-2-enal, non-(Z)-2-enal, dec-(E)-2-enal, deca-(E,Z)-2,4-dienal] and alcohols (pentan-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, oct-1-en-3-ol) were the most abundant compounds in the headspace of porcine liver patés. Patés from different pig breeds presented different volatiles profiles due to their different oxidation susceptibilities as a probable result of their fatty acid profiles and vitamin E content. Regardless of the origin of the patés, the addition of BHT successfully reduced the amount of volatiles derived from PUFA oxidation. Added essential oils showed a different effect on the generation of volatiles whether they were added in patés from Iberian or white pigs because they inhibited lipid oxidation in the former and enhanced oxidative instability in the latter. SPME successfully allowed the isolation and analysis of 41 volatile terpenes from patés with added sage and rosemary essential oils including alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, 1-limonene, (E)-caryophyllene, linalool, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, which might contribute to the aroma characteristics of liver patés.     

Headspace oxygen in sample vials affects volatiles production of meat during the automated purge-and-Trap/GC analyses.

Headspace oxygen in sample vial for the purge-and-trap dynamic headspace/gas chromatography method oxidizes meat if held hours before purging, influences volatile profiles, and misrepresents the true composition of volatiles. Helium flush and helium flush plus oxygen absorber were used to eliminate residual oxygen and minimize oxidative changes in meat during sample holding time. Both helium flush and helium flush plus oxygen absorber treatments were effective in preventing an increase in 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) and volatiles production in raw meat for up to 640 min of sample holding. With helium flush plus oxygen absorber, only 1-octen-3-ol increased during the 1280-min sample holding time. However, the hexanal peak in raw meat was interfered by 2,6-dimethyl heptane when oxygen absorber was added. Therefore, use of oxygen absorber was not appropriate for raw meat. Helium flush reduced oxidative changes in cooked meat during sample holding time but was not able to stop oxidative changes in meat after 160 min sample holding. A combination of helium flush and oxygen absorber was effective in preventing volatiles production in cooked meat for over 20 h of sample holding at 4 degrees C.     

Automated dynamic headspace/GC-MS analyses affect the repeatability of volatiles in irradiated Turkey

Although a dynamic headspace/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DH/GC-MS) method is an effective tool for determining volatiles of irradiated turkey meat, the profile of volatiles may be changeable depending upon the availability of oxygen in the sample vial and sample holding time before purge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of helium flushing and sample holding time before purge on the volatiles profiles of irradiated raw and cooked turkey breast meat. Vacuum-packaged turkey breasts were irradiated at 2.5 kGy, and the volatiles of irradiated raw and cooked samples were analyzed using a DH/GC-MS with different holding times up to 280 min. The amounts of dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide decreased as sample holding time in an autosampler (4 degrees C) before purge increased, whereas those of aldehdyes increased as holding time increased due to lipid oxidation. Helium flush of sample vials before sample loading on an autosampler retarded lipid oxidation and minimized the changes of sulfur volatiles in raw meat but was not enough to prevent oxidative changes in cooked meat. Although DH/GC-MS is a convenient method for automatic analysis of volatiles in meat samples, the number of samples that can be loaded in an autosampler at a time should be limited within the range that can permit reasonable repeatabilities for target volatile compounds.     

Volatile compounds of Aspergillus strains with different abilities to produce ochratoxin A

Volatile compounds emitted by Aspergillus strains having different abilities to produce ochratoxin A were investigated. Thirteen strains of Aspergillus ochraceus, three belonging to the A. ochraceus group, and eight other species of Aspergillus were examined for their abilities to produce volatile compounds and ochratoxin A on a wheat grain medium. The profiles of volatile compounds, analyzed using SPME, in all A. ochraceus strains, regardless of their toxeginicity, were similar and comprised mainly of 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 3-octanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-octene, and limonene. The prevailing compound was always 1-octen-3-ol. Mellein, which forms part of the ochratoxin A molecule, was found in both toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains. Volatile compounds produced by other Aspergillus strains were similar to those of A. ochraceus. Incubation temperatures (20, 24, and 27 degrees C) and water content in the medium (20, 30, and 40%) influenced both volatile compounds formation and ochratoxin A biosynthesis efficiency, although conditions providing the maximum amount of volatiles were different from those providing the maximum amount of ochratoxin A. The pattern of volatiles produced by toxigenic A. ochraceus strains does not facilitate their differentiation from nontoxigenic strains.     

Formation of 2-alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans and 2-alkylthiophenes in cooked beef and lamb

2-Alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans and 2-alkylthiophenes have been identified in the volatiles of cooked beef and lamb. The quantities of both groups of compounds were higher in the meat of animals fed lipid supplements high in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 2-Alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans were formed when (E,E)-2,4-dienals (C(6)-C(11)) and hydrogen sulfide were heated at 140 degrees C for 30 min. This confirmed their proposed route of formation in cooked meat from lipid-derived aldehydes and hydrogen sulfide; the latter was produced from the degradation of cysteine, via the Maillard reaction. The mass spectra and NMR spectra of these thiapyrans are reported for the first time. Although 2-alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans were found to have only low odor potency, the reactions by which they are formed may have important implications for meat flavor. These reactions may remove potent aroma compounds and their intermediates from meat, thus modifying the overall aroma profile.     

Effect of lipid composition on meat-like model systems containing cysteine, ribose, and polyunsaturated fatty acids

This paper compares the volatile constituents of model systems containing the important meat aroma precursors cysteine and ribose, with and without either methyl linoleate, an n-6 fatty acid, or methyl alpha-linolenate, an n-3 acid, both of which are present in meat. Many of the volatile compounds formed from the reaction between cysteine and ribose were not formed, or formed in lower amounts, when lipid was present. This may be due to the reaction between hydrogen sulfide, formed from the breakdown of cysteine, and lipid degradation products. In addition, cysteine and ribose modified lipid oxidation pathways, so that alcohols and alkylfurans were formed rather than saturated and unsaturated aldehydes. Several volatile compounds, which have been found at elevated levels in cooked meat from animals fed supplements high in n-3 acids, were formed when methyl alpha-linolenate reacted with cysteine and ribose. The possible effects of increasing the n-3 content of meat upon flavor formation during cooking are discussed.     

Effect of citric acid and glycine addition on acrylamide and flavor in a potato model system

Acrylamide levels in cooked/processed food can be reduced by treatment with citric acid or glycine. In a potato model system cooked at 180 degrees C for 10-60 min, these treatments affected the volatile profiles. Strecker aldehydes and alkylpyrazines, key flavor compounds of cooked potato, were monitored. Citric acid limited the generation of volatiles, particularly the alkylpyrazines. Glycine increased the total volatile yield by promoting the formation of certain alkylpyrazines, namely, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, and 2,5-diethyl-3-methylpyrazine. However, the formation of other pyrazines and Strecker aldehydes was suppressed. It was proposed that the opposing effects of these treatments on total volatile yield may be used to best advantage by employing a combined treatment at lower concentrations, especially as both treatments were found to have an additive effect in reducing acrylamide. This would minimize the impact on flavor but still achieve the desired reduction in acrylamide levels.     

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.     

Natural variations of precursors in pig meat affect the yield of heterocyclic amines--effects of RN genotype, feeding regime, and sex

Pig meat shows natural variations in the concentrations of precursors of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which may affect formation of HCAs in cooked pig meat. To study this, 26 pigs with an inherent genetic variation (carriers and noncarriers of the RN(-) allele) were subjected to different feeding regimes (conventional feed compared with feed composed according to organic standards). In addition, the effect of sex (castrated males or females) was considered when assessing chemical and technological meat quality parameters. Concentrations of precursors of HCAs, i.e., creatine, residual glycogen, dipeptides, and free amino acids, were analyzed in the raw meat, and the levels of some HCAs (4,8-DiMeIQx, MeIQx, PhIP, harman, and norharman) were then determined in fried meat patties prepared from these pigs. The RN genotype most affected technological meat quality parameters and the level of precursors of HCAs, especially the level of residual glycogen, where carriers of the RN(-) allele showed levels four times as high as those of noncarriers (75.3 +/- 2.6 compared with 17.2 +/- 2.4 micromol/g meat, least-squares means +/- SE). The increased level of residual glycogen resulted in about 50% lower amounts of total mutagenic HCAs in cooked meat compared with cooked meat from normal pigs. Fried meat from carriers of the RN(-) allele obtained darker crust color than meat from noncarriers. Feeding regime and sex did not significantly affect the chemical composition of the meat or the formation of HCAs.     

Difference in the volatile composition of pine-mushrooms (Tricholoma matsutake Sing.) according to their grades

The differences in volatile components of pine-mushrooms (Tricholoma matsutake Sing.) according to their grades were observed by applying multivariate statistical methods to GC-MS data sets. A total of 35 and 37 volatile components were identified in raw and cooked pine-mushrooms, respectively. The volatile components in pine-mushrooms were primarily composed of C8 species, such as 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-octanol, (E)-2-octen-1-ol, 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-one, (E)-2-octenal, and octanoic acid. The levels of ethyl octanoate, junipene, and 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one were much higher in raw pine-mushroom of higher grades, whereas the reverse was true for C8 components. On the other hand, furfuryl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, dihydro-5-methyl-2(3H)-furanone, 2(5H)-furanone, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenal, furfural, phenylacetaldehyde, benzoic acid methyl ester, camphene, and beta-pinene were the major components of cooked mushrooms. These volatile components formed by various thermal reactions could be mainly responsible for the difference in volatile components of cooked pine-mushrooms according to their grades.     

Flavor compounds and quality parameters of chevon as influenced by sericea lespedeza hay

This research assessed the utilization of sericea lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata ) hay, a highly condensed tannin (CT) forage (87-181 g CT/kg), as a dietary regimen of meat goats, and thereby the effects on physicochemical properties of goat meat (chevon) and flavor compounds in cooked chevon chops were evaluated. Although it is commonly believed that higher amounts of CT can have deleterious effects on animal performance due to low digestibility and low voluntary intakes in ruminants, feeding meat goats with SL hay increased the body weight compared to goats fed bermudagrass hay without altering the chemical composition and meat quality of chevon. Feeding SL hay to meat goats also did not significantly influence the flavor volatiles in cooked chevon chops. The findings indicate that SL hay can be used as a low-input forage to replace expensive forages.     

Optimization of extraction of apple aroma by dynamic headspace and influence of saliva on extraction of volatiles

The dynamic headspace procedure of aroma extraction was optimized on Gala apples (Malus domestica). Two parameters affecting the extractability of compounds were studied: temperature and purge time. The influence of artificial saliva was also included. An increase in purge time and temperature caused an increase in the extraction of volatiles from the apple matrix. The optimum point of extraction was 40 degrees C and 70 min of purge. The study also showed that the addition of saliva influenced the extraction of volatile compounds, but this effect was different from one compound to another. To verify that the headspace extracts presented a global odor representativeness of fresh apple under these conditions of extraction, eight assessors compared the odor of extracts with fresh fruit odor for three different cultivars. With regard to the sensory profiles of extracts, the optimal conditions of extraction were suitable for extraction of volatile compounds, even if cooked apple odor appeared in some extracts. The similarity marks of extracts were low but acceptable.     

Aroma of fresh oysters Crassostrea gigas: composition and aroma notes

In contrast to many foods, very little is known about the aroma of fresh oysters. This study deals with the relationship between extracted volatiles of oysters and their olfactory properties. Nearly 50 volatiles were identified: most of them were principally related to fatty acid oxidation (86%) and particularly to n-3 polyunstaturated fatty acid oxidation (66%). Only one volatile arose from amino acid degradation. Panelists detected 42 odors by sniffing. Among them, only 12 odors were definitely attributed to identified volatile. These odors were green/sulfur/crustacean, mushroom/citrus, and marine/cucumber notes and were attributed to dimethyl sulfide, 1-penten-3-one, hexanal, (2,4)-E,E-heptadienal, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-3-one, octanal, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, (E)-2-octenal, and decanal, respectively.     

Composition of the volatiles from intact and mechanically pierced tea aphid-tea shoot complexes and their attraction to natural enemies of the tea aphid

The volatile components from intact tea shoots (ITS), obtained by air entrainment, were identified by their mass spectra and retention times and confirmed by comparison with standard samples. They are E-2-hexenal, ocimene, Z-3-hexenyl acetate, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, butanoic acid-3-hexenyl ester, linalool, 1-octanol, geraniol, and indole. Volatiles from mechanically pierced tea shoots (MPTS) were identified as E-2-hexenal, ocimene, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, butanoic acid-3-hexenyl ester, linalool, geraniol, indole, E-2-hexenoic acid, Z-3-hexenyl formate, methyl salicylate, and benzyl alcohol, and volatiles from tea aphid-tea shoot complexes (TATSC) were identified as E-2-hexenal, ocimene, Z-3-hexenyl acetate, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, linalool, geraniol, indole, benzaldehyde, and E-2-hexenoic acid. Z-3-Hexen-1-ol is the main component in the three different types of volatiles, and the amount of benzaldehyde in TATSC volatiles is very ample. The attraction of the volatiles from ITS, MPTS, and TATSC, and the nine components of TATSC volatiles to the natural enemies, the coccinellid, Coccinella septempunctata, the parasite, Aphidius sp., and the lacewing, Chrysopa sinica, were determined by electroantennogram (EAG) and the wind tunnel bioassay. TATSC volatiles and benzaldehyde elicited much larger EAG responses and stronger upwind flight and arresting behavior from each natural enemy in the wind tunnel than other infochemicals.     

Volatile compounds in samples of cork and also produced by selected fungi

The production of volatile compounds by microbial communities of cork samples taken during the cork manufacturing process was investigated. The majority of volatiles were found in samples collected at two stages: resting after the first boiling and nontreated cork disks. Volatile profiles produced by microbiota in both stages are similar. The releasable volatile compounds and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) produced in cork-based culture medium by five isolated fungal species in pure and mixed cultures were also analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The results showed that 1-octen-3-ol and esters of fatty acids (medium chain length C8-C20) were the main volatile compounds produced by either pure fungal species or their mixture. Apparently, Penicillium glabrum is the main contributor to the overall volatile composition observed in the mixed culture. The production of releasable TCA on cork cannot be attributed to any of the assayed fungal isolates.     

Impact of the suppression of lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase on the quality of the green odor in green leaves

Most of the volatile compounds responsible for the "green" notes to the aroma of fruits and vegetables are produced by the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway. The most determinant steps of this pathway are the peroxidation of free linoleic or linolenic acid by the action of lipoxygenase and then the lysis of the resulting hydroperoxides through a reaction catalyzed by the hydroperoxide lyase. This work analyzes the impact of the depletion of these enzymes on the volatile composition of leaves from potato plants. A characterization of the volatile profiles of the different potato mutants, a study of the metabolism of radiolabeled linoleic acid, and a determination of lipoxygenase activity have been carried out. The depletion of hydroperoxide lyase induced an increase in the lipoxygenase activity and the content of C5 volatiles, whereas the lipoxygenase silencing caused a severe decrease in the amount of volatiles produced by the leaves and always in the intensity of their aroma. The changes in the sensory evaluation of leaf aroma, as correlated to depletion of the two enzymes, have been investigated. The perspectives of producing vegetable products with a modified aroma by genetic engineering are discussed in light of the statistical results.     

In vitro and in vivo release of aroma compounds from yellow-fleshed kiwifruit

Comparisons were made between the aroma volatiles of the yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, "Hort16A", at two different stages of eating ripeness: firm and soft. The firm fruit contained a small number of aroma compounds that the soft fruit did not contain. In general, however, the largest difference between the two firmness categories was in the levels of esters, with the soft fruit containing higher concentrations and a larger number of esters than the firm fruit. In vitro analysis directly after maceration using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) showed the relative importance of the most intense aromas between fruit at the two different firmness stages and was used to compare the release rates of aromas. A comparison of the aroma concentrations from gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and APCI-MS headspace analyses showed that the APCI-MS headspace showed less bias toward enzymatically generated lipid degradation compounds. A GC-sniffing study showed that many of the most intense compounds, acetaldehyde, hexanal, ethyl butanoate, and (E)-2-hexenal but not ethanol, showed odor activity in macerated fruit. In addition, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a volatile present at very low levels in the fruit, also appeared to be an important contributor to the odor. In vivo analyses also showed much higher levels of aroma compounds in the soft fruit compared to the firm fruit, with evidence of persistence of some compounds, including DMS. There were a number of similarities between the breath profiles of the two panelists, which confirmed the importance of DMS in "Hort16A" aroma.     

Influence of sulfur amino acids on the volatile and nonvolatile components of cooked salmon (Salmo salar)

Volatile and nonvolatile compounds, which could contribute to flavor, were analyzed in salmon. One hundred twenty-three volatile compounds were identified in the headspace of two different samples of cooked salmon, including lipid-derived volatiles, Maillard-derived volatiles, sulfur volatiles, Strecker aldehydes, nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, terpenes, and trimethylamine. Significant differences between samples were found for 104 of the volatiles. Although the levels of free cysteine and methionine were low in the salmon, sulfur volatiles were formed in the cooked fish, demonstrating that there were sufficient sulfur amino acids present for their formation. Notable differences in sulfur compounds between the samples suggested that small changes in sulfur amino acids could be responsible. When this hypothesis was tested, salmon heated with cysteine had increased levels of many thiophenes, thiazoles, alicyclic sulfides, and nitrogen heterocycles. With the addition of methionine, levels of dimethyl sulfides, two alicyclic sulfides, pyrazines, some unsaturated aldehydes, and alcohols and 2-furanmethanethiol increased. The largest difference found among the nonvolatile (low molecular weight water-soluble) compounds was in inosine monophosphate.