Precursors of chicken flavor. I. Determination of some flavor precursors in chicken muscle

Previous studies suggest that differences in concentrations of natural flavor precursors of the Maillard reaction may affect the odor and flavor of cooked chicken meat. To determine whether such differences occur in the purchased product, chickens from a range of commercial sources were analyzed for selected precursors. These analyses demonstrated that variation occurs both between different commercial sources and between individual chickens from the same source. Coefficients of variation exceeding 30% were observed for inosine 5'-monophosphate, guanosine 5'-monophosphate, and inosine, comparable with those previously determined for reducing sugars and their phosphates. These correspond to concentration ranges of 3-fold and higher, which in some cases may have the potential to affect odor and flavor formation. In contrast, thiamin and amino acids (both protein and nonprotein) show less variation with ranges mainly less than 2-fold.     

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.     

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.     

Characterization of espresso coffee aroma by static headspace GC-MS and sensory flavor profile.

The aromas of three espresso coffee (EC) samples from different botanical varieties and types of roast (Arabica coffee, Robusta natural blend, and Robusta Torrefacto blend (special roast by adding sugar)) were studied by static headspace GC-MS and sensory flavor profile analysis. Seventy-seven compounds were identified in all of the EC samples. Among them, 13 key odorants have been quantified and correlated with their flavor notes by applying multivariate statistical methods. Some correlations have been found in the EC samples: some aldehydes with fruity flavors, diones with buttery flavors, and pyrazines with earthy/musty, roasty/burnt, and woody/papery flavors. By applying principal component analysis (PCA), Arabica and Robusta samples were separated successfully by principal component 1 (60.7% of variance), and Torrefacto and Natural Robusta EC samples were separated by principal component 2 (28.1% of total variance). With PCA, the aroma characterization of each EC sample could be observed. A very simple discriminant function using some key odorants was obtained by discriminant analysis, allowing the classification of each EC sample into its respective group with a success rate of 100%.     

Characterization of the key aroma compounds in soy sauce using approaches of molecular sensory science

Application of aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) to the volatiles isolated from a commercial Japanese soy sauce revealed 30 odor-active compounds in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 8-4096, among which 2-phenylethanol showed the highest FD factor of 4096, followed by 3-(methylsulfanyl)propanal (methional), the tautomers 4-hydroxy-5-ethyl-2-methyl- and 4-hydroxy-2-ethyl-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (4-HEMF), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (4-HDF), and 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone (sotolone), all showing FD factors of 1024. Thirteen odorants were quantified by stable isotope dilution assays, and their odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as ratio of their concentrations and odor thresholds in water. Among them, 3-methylbutanal (malty), sotolone (seasoning-like), 4-HEMF (caramel-like), 2-methylbutanal (malty), methional (cooked potato), ethanol (alcoholic), and ethyl 2-methylpropanoate (fruity) showed the highest OAVs (>200). An aqueous model aroma mixture containing 13 odorants, which had been identified with the highest OAVs, in concentrations that occur in the soy sauce showed a good similarity with the overall aroma of the soy sauce itself. Heat treatment of the soy sauce resulted in a clear change of the overall aroma. Quantitation of selected odorants revealed a significant decrease in sotolone and, in particular, increases in 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 4-HDMF, and 4-HEMF induced by heating.     

Precursors of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, a potent flavor compound of an aromatic rice variety

The biological formation of a potent flavor compound, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, in the aromatic rice variety (Khao Dawk Mali 105) was studied in seedlings and callus of the rice. Concentrations of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline were determined by GC-MS-SIM using an isotope dilution method. Increases in concentration occurred when proline, ornithine, and glutamate were present in solution, with proline increasing the concentration by more than 3-fold compared to that of the control. Results of tracer experiments using (15)N-proline, (15)N-glycine, and proline-1-(13)C indicated that the nitrogen source of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was proline, whereas the carbon source of the acetyl group was not the carboxyl group of proline. 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was formed in the aromatic rice at temperatures below that of thermal generation in bread baking, and formed in the aerial part of aromatic rice from proline as the nitrogen precursor.     

Effects of vine or bunch shading on the glycosylated flavor precursors in grapes of Vitis vinifera L. Cv. syrah

Effects of the modification of vine or bunch environment on glycoconjugates were studied in Syrah berries over two years. Vines were shaded from berry set to maturity, with black polyethylene nets of different mesh size to obtain 30 and 50% of the direct sunlight. Bunches were naturally shaded by the leaves or artificially with 90% shade bags. Sun-exposed berries were chosen as control berries. A quantitative decrease in levels of glycoconjugates was observed in shaded bunches, particularly for phenolic and C(13)-norisoprenoidic glycosides. In the same way, vine shading caused a decrease in the contents of glycosides of terpenols, phenols, and C(13)-norisoprenoids in berries, but the grape environment (microclimate) affected the berry composition more than the vine environment. A cluster thinning experiment confirmed the independence of grapes with regard to the plant for the biosynthesis of the C(13)-norisoprenoid glycosides.     

调亏灌溉对番茄品质与风味组分的影响

为优化番茄调亏灌溉条件,设计了轻度、中度和重度调亏灌溉处理(浇水量分别是正常灌水的75%、50%和25%),研究不同调亏灌溉处理对番茄果实的含水量、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、糖酸比和Vc等营养成分和风味组分的变化。结果表明,果实含水量随着调亏灌溉程度的加深而降低,重度和中度处理轻度处理对照;可溶性固形物为重度和中度处理轻度处理对照。可滴定酸是中度调亏灌溉时含量明显高于重度调亏灌溉和对照;糖酸比在重度调亏灌溉时最高,明显高于对照,但与中度和轻度调亏灌溉间差异不显著;Vc含量以重度调亏灌溉的最高。对芳香组分的测定发现,调亏灌溉程度对风味组分也有很大影响。其中,中度调亏灌溉检测出的特征效应化合物最多,正常灌水条件下最少。     

鸡油组织中的磷脂对鸡油挥发性风味化合物形成的影响

磷脂是肉类特征性风味的重要前体物质。鸡油具有浓郁的脂香和鸡汤香气,磷脂可能对其风味有重要作用。该研究采用去除鸡油组织中的磷脂,以及在鸡油中添加磷脂等处理方法,结合顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用技术和感官评价方法研究经不同处理鸡油中的挥发性风味物质相对含量和风味的变化。结果表明添加了磷脂的鸡油,其特征性风味成分显著增加,特别是（E,E）-2,4-癸二烯醛和1-辛烯-3-酮分别增加了4.5倍和10.4倍;而去除磷脂鸡油的挥发性风味物质种类和丰度显著减少;感官评价结果也表明添加磷脂鸡油的风味最浓郁,而去除磷脂鸡油的风味最弱。因此,该研究证明鸡油组织中的磷脂对鸡油的风味具有重要的贡献作用,添加磷脂可显著增加鸡油的香气。该研究结果为浓香鸡油的开发提供理论依据和参考工艺。     

Fresh cucumber flavor in refrigerated pickles: comparison of sensory and instrumental analysis

The ability of nonacidified, refrigerated pickled cucumbers to produce the fresh cucumber flavor impact compounds (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-nonenal declined during storage. Production of these compounds decreased as the pH of refrigerated cucumbers was reduced. Despite the fact that the concentrations of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-nonenal generated were over 10(5)-fold greater than the threshold levels, it was possible for a sensory panel to consistently detect differences in the intensity of fresh cucumber flavor, provided the pH difference between samples was 1 unit or greater. The presence of spices did not interfere with the ability of panelists to detect differences in fresh flavor intensity. There was a linear correlation between sensory scores and the amount of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal produced by cucumbers equilibrated at different pH levels.     

Identification of specific oxidatively modified proteins in chicken muscles using a combined immunologic and proteomic approach

Muscle proteins are generally believed to be key players in free radical processes that eventually lead to oxidative deterioration or modifications of meat proteins resulting in alterations in functionality, for example, gel-forming ability, emulsification properties, and water-binding capacity. This study addresses protein oxidation in chicken muscles using a combined immunologic and proteomic approach and identifies specific proteins that contain carbonyls and/or 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT). Whereas alpha-enolase was the predominant carbonyl-reactive species among the water-soluble muscle proteins, several other proteins (actin, heat shock protein 70, and creatine kinase) contained carbonyls and/or 3-nitrotyrosine. Finally, this approach was used to demonstrate differential susceptibility of water-soluble muscle proteins toward oxidation in chickens fed a low-antioxidant diet compared with chickens fed a diet supplemented with antioxidant-rich fruits/vegetables.     

Identification of sulfur volatiles in canned orange juices lacking orange flavor

The purpose of this study was to understand why some canned orange juices are not perceived as orange juice. Sensory flavor profile data indicated that the primary odor (orthonasal) attributes were tropical fruit/grapefruit, cooked/caramel, musty, and medicine. By comparison fresh-squeezed juice lacked these odor attributes. GC-O analysis found 43 odor-active components in canned juices. Eight of these aroma volatiles were sulfur based. Four of the 12 most intense aroma peaks were sulfur compounds that included methanethiol, 1-p-menth-1-ene-8-thiol, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, and dimethyl trisulfide. The other most intense odorants included 7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene (myrcene), octanal, 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (homofuraneol), (E)-non-2-enal, (E,E)-deca-2,4-dienal, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin), and alpha-sinensal. Odorants probably responsible for the undesirable sensory attributes included grapefruit (1-p-menth-1-ene-8-thiol), cooked [2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (Furaneol), and 3-(methylthio)propanal (methional)], musty [7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene and (E)-non-2-enal], and medicine (2-methoxyphenol). The canned juices also lacked several aldehydes and esters normally found in fresh orange juice.     

杀菌方式对即食胡萝卜片挥发性风味物质的影响

为研究不同杀菌方式对即食胡萝卜片挥发性风味物质的影响,运用固相微萃取和气相色谱-质谱联用技术,分别对新鲜胡萝卜片和经巴氏杀菌、超高压杀菌、热辅助超高压杀菌处理的即食胡萝卜片及其贮藏期间(4℃,60 d)的挥发性组分进行对比分析。试验结果表明:新鲜胡萝卜片的主要芳香成分为萜烯类物质。与未杀菌组相比,经不同杀菌处理后,即食胡萝卜片的萜烯类物质含量均有所降低,其中巴氏杀菌组降低的最多。在贮藏前期(20~30 d),超高压处理即食胡萝卜片的萜烯类物质的含量最高,超高压杀菌在短期内较好地保持了胡萝卜特有的香气,即食胡萝卜片品质较好;其次是热辅助压力杀菌组,热辅助压力杀菌组即食胡萝卜片的β-蒎烯、β-石竹烯的含量较其他处理组较高,较好地保持了胡萝卜的松树树脂香气以及辛香气味;而巴氏杀菌组即食胡萝卜片的萜烯类物质含量最低,即食胡萝卜片的品质相对较差。研究结果可为新型杀菌技术在即食产品领域的应用提供参考。     

不同施氮水平对红花大金元烟叶香味物质和感官评吸质量的影响

【目的】 氮素施用水平主导着烟叶的氮素代谢,影响烟叶中有机酸、酚类、石油醚提取物、木质素等香味物质的含量,进而影响烟叶的感官评吸质量。探索不同氮素施用量对红花大金元 (简称红大) 烟叶香味物质和感官评吸质量的影响,以期为烤烟栽培中氮素的科学施用提供理论依据。 【方法】 2013 年在云南玉溪和大理烟区以烤烟红大为供试材料进行田间试验。设置施氮水平 0、45、90 和 135 kg/hm2 (分别以 N₀、N₁、N₂ 和 N₃ 表示),分析了烤烟香味物质和感官评吸质量指标。 【结果】 烟叶中挥发酸含量随施氮量的增加而显著提高,大理试验以 N₃ 处理含量最高,达到 0.13%;烟叶中高级脂肪酸总量和多元有机酸均以 N₂ 处理最高,玉溪分别为 19.71 和 82.65 mg/g,大理分别为 20.67 和 94.12 mg/g。烟叶中多酚含量在N₂ 水平最高,至 N₃ 时出现下降。烟叶石油醚提取物含量随施氮水平的提高而显著增加,玉溪和大理试验点 N₃ 处理含量分别为 6.25% 和 6.05%。烟叶木质素含量以 N₂ 处理最低,玉溪和大理试验点含量分别为 5.19% 和 5.42%。红大烟叶感官评吸总分均以N₂ 处理最高,玉溪和大理试验点的评分分别为 77.4 和 78.1。 【结论】 氮素施用水平中等时 (90 kg/hm2),烟叶挥发酸和石油醚提取物含量适中,高级脂肪酸和多元有机酸含量较高,酚类物质积累较多,木质素含量较低,烟叶各香味物质含量协调性较好,感官评吸时烟叶香气质、香气量、余味、杂气、劲头和评吸总分较高,烟叶品质优良。      

Effect of beta-glycosidase activity of Oenococcus oeni on the glycosylated flavor precursors of Tannat wine during malolactic fermentation

Under traditional wine-making conditions, this work examines the beta-glycosidic activity of Oenococcus oeni on glycosylated aroma compounds of Tannat wines during malolactic fermentation (MLF) by comparing the changes on selected aglycones liberated. MLF diminished the content of all the glycosylated compounds. The level of the free aroma components was slightly modified by the action of the malolactic fermentation so that the cleavage of the glycosidic linkage by the beta-glycosidic activity of O. oeni did not appear to increase significatively the aglycone contents. The consequences of further chemical rearrangements of the algycones under wine conditions were explored using synthesized glycoconjugates on synthetic medium. Bacteria could also be responsible for the cleavage of aroma glycosylated compounds, being the aglycone adsorbed on polysaccharides or peptidoglycans and was released into the external medium. This hypothesis was studied through the evaluation of a stable arrangement of aroma compounds with polysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria. A possible retaining of free-made aroma compounds into the whole cells of O. oeni was also investigated through cell culture analysis. Through the results obtained, we assume stable linkage of aroma compounds with bacterial polysaccharides.     

真空冷冻干燥对柠檬挥发性风味化合物保留的影响

为探索真空冷冻干燥方法对柠檬中挥发性风味化合物保留特性的影响,该研究采用一体化冻干、传统冷冻干燥2种不同工艺方法进行对比干燥试验。结果表明,柠檬一体化冻干法在真空冻结阶段预先脱除了近1/3的初始水分,在预冻和升华干燥环节分别与比传统冻干法节省2.5、2h,冻干后形成相对致密的多孔网络结构,细胞壁孔室较为完整。新鲜柠檬原料挥发性风味化合物中单萜烯类化合物占绝对主导地位,主要为D-柠檬烯、萜品烯、左旋-β-蒎烯、β-蒎烯,主要倍半萜烯风味化合物为1-石竹烯、巴伦西亚橘烯、β-防风根烯,主要醛类化合物为柠檬醛、二甲基-辛二烯醛、壬醛、癸醛、己醛,主要醇类化合物为α-松油醇、橙花醇、4-萜烯醇、芳樟醇、香叶醇,主要酯类化合物为橙花乙酸酯、5-甲基-2-4-己烯-1-醇乙酸酯;各类主要挥发性风味化合物在2种方法冻干柠檬中保留率均较低,绝大部分迁移出被冷阱凝霜捕集或真空泵抽排机外损失;一体化冻干柠檬中各类风味化合物含量显著高于传统冻干柠檬(P0.05),对挥发性风味化合物的保留具有显著优势;主要单萜烯类风味化合物在传统冻干冷阱凝霜中含量显著高于一体化冻干冷阱凝霜(P0.05),而主要倍半萜烯化合物、醛类化合物、醇类化合物、脂类化合物在一体化冷阱凝霜中含量均显著高于传统冻干冷阱凝霜(P0.05)。2种冻干柠檬挥发性风味化合物保留特性的差异可能与冻干工艺时间、微观组织形态有关。该研究结果为柠檬等果蔬冷冻干燥加工制品的保香提质提供参考。