A study of volatile flavour substances in Dalmatian traditional smoked ham: Impact of dry-curing and frying

Volatiles from Dalmatian prosciutto were isolated by solvent extraction (SE), simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and nitrogen purge and steam distillation (NPSD) and analyzed by GC and GC–MS. In all, 46 compounds were identified by SDE and SE (including fatty acids, aldehydes, phenols, esters, ketones and others), while 81 compounds were identified by NPSD (headspace volatiles including phenols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, esters and heterocyclic compounds). Regarding the impact of dry curing period on the volatiles, an increase in the percentages of aldehydes and esters during the ripening of the prosciutto was observed. Quantitative percentage differences among fried and raw samples were particularly evident in respect of aldehydes (SDE and SE). The NPSD method provided additional information of the volatiles from fried ham, since the pyrazines and most of the lower aldehydes that are important thermally derived flavour compounds were only isolated by NPSD (not by SE and SDE).     

Profiling of volatile compounds of Phyllostachys pubescens shoots in Taiwan

This study examined the influence of heating temperature and duration on volatile aromatic components of spring and winter Phyllostachys pubescens shoots using SPME. Results from GC–MS analyses revealed that the main constituents in both bamboo shoots at ambient temperature include methoxy-phenyl oxime, followed by n-hexanol and 3Z-hexenal, which gives a fresh green aroma. Comparing the different compounds, between spring and winter shoots, revealed that spring bamboo shoots at ambient temperature comprise 12.30% methyl salicylate, which provides protection against insect attack, and 9.71% epi-cedrol; while winter bamboo shoots comprise 17.00% 1-octen-3-ol, which produces a distinct mushroom aroma. After heating at 100 °C for 60 min, a marked increase in relative content of benzyl salicylate (43.30%) and a significant decrease in methyl salicylate content in spring bamboo shoots were observed; while the major compound in winter bamboo shoots was n-heneicosane (78.09%) and the content of specific 1-octen-3-ol significantly decreased.     

Characterisation of odour active volatile compounds of New Zealand sea urchin (Evechinus chloroticus) roe using gas chromatography–olfactometry–finger span cross modality (GC–O–FSCM) method

Sea urchin roe is a high value product; however, previous attempts to market the roe from the New Zealand sea urchin (Evechinus chloroticus) have been unsuccessful due to its inconsistent sensory quality. The current study investigated the odour active volatile profiles of roe from male and female sea urchins, harvested from two locations in New Zealand, using solvent assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE) extracts and a gas chromatography–olfactometry–finger span cross modality (GC–O–FSCM) method. Panellists detected 81 odour active compounds, 18 of which were identified using GC–mass spectrometry (MS). Generalised procrustes analysis (GPA) of the data revealed that there were differences in the volatile profile that were location and gender specific. These differences may have contributed to the inconsistent sensory properties of sea urchin roe. The differences in volatile profiles between sea urchin populations and genders must be appreciated before developing effective strategies to produce consistent sea urchin roe quality.     

Melissopalynological origin determination and volatile composition analysis of Corsican “chestnut grove” honeys

Fifty Corsican “chestnut grove” honeys were certified by melissopalynological analysis. Castanea sativa was strongly overrepresented and was accompanied mainly by Rubus sp., Quercus ilex, Anthyllis hermanniae, Myrtus communis, Genista sp., Erica arborea, Cistus creticus, and Fraxinus ornus. Headspace solid-phase microextraction was performed to investigate the volatile composition of Corsican chestnut catkins and chestnut grove honeys. The main compounds of the chestnut catkins were acetophenone (21.5%), methyl salicylate (13.4%), nonanal (10.9%), and linalool (7.5%), whereas the major constituents of the honeys were 2-aminoacetophenone (11.4%), benzaldehyde (10.8%), acetophenone (7.0%), nonanoic acid (5.9%), octanoic acid (5.0%), and 3-furaldehyde (4.9%). By entering the aromatic intensity, the relative frequency of C. sativa, Rubus sp., and A. hermanniae pollens, and the physicochemical parameters as discriminate variables, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed that the distribution of Corsican “chestnut grove” honeys correlates with climatic events and/or honeybee foraging behaviours.     

Terpenes and fatty acid profiles of milk fat and “Bitto” cheese as affected by transhumance of cows on different mountain pastures

The evolution of fatty acid (FA) and terpenoid profiles was studied in milk (n = 20) and “Bitto” (n = 3), a protected designation of origin cheese produced in a restricted Italian alpine area. Milk came from 25 Italian Brown cows successively grazing pastures at 1400, 2100 and 2200 m during transhumance in June–September 2006. The fat matter was analyzed for FAs and terpenes by means of gas chromatography and purge & trap/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. FA composition of milk fat varied significantly (p < 0.0001) in relation to contents of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), stearic, linoleic and trans-vaccenic acids. Similar monoterpene profiles characterized milk fat from cows grazing the different pastures and the highest amount of terpenes was measured in milk coming from cows grazing at 1400 m. High levels of δ3-carene in milk fat were likely related to the important presence of Ligusticum mutellina in the pasture. Only negligible amounts of sesquiterpenes were detected in milk fat whereas they were the most abundant class in fodder. Both FA and terpene profiles of ripened (70 days) cheeses resembled those of the original milks. Overall, results confirm the influence of the botanical composition of mountain pastures both in enhancing the ruminal synthesis of CLA and in modifying the FA and terpenoid profiles of milk and “Bitto” cheese. Nevertheless, neither the FA nor the terpenoid profiles revealed here can be considered as “unique” to “Bitto” cheese and, for this reason, they can hardly be assumed to be biomarkers for defining a specific relationship among grazing area, milk and “Bitto” cheese. They better represent the chemical fingerprint of the cow feeding, adopted in mountain areas.     

Analysis of volatile compounds of Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture using headspace solid-phase microextraction

In this work a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC–olfactometry (GC–O) was developed to evaluate the profile of the volatile compounds that contribute to the aroma of Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture. For this purpose, the HS-SPME sampling method for the volatile compounds of A. camphorata in submerged culture was optimised by a D-optimal design. A HS extraction of the culture broth of A. camphorata followed by incubation on a carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fibre during 31.8 min at 54.6 °C gave the most effective and accurate extraction of the volatile compounds. By the optimised method, a total of 49 volatile compounds were identified in culture broth of A. camphorata, while a total of 55 volatile compounds were identified in the mycelia. A series of C₈ aliphatic compounds (mushroom-like odour), several lactones (fruity odour) and l-linalool (citrus-like odour) were the most potent key odourant in both the mycelia and culture broth. This combined technique is fast, simple, sensitive, inexpensive and useful to monitor volatile compounds associated to A. camphorata.     

Headspace,volatile and semi-volatile patterns of Paliurus spina-christi unifloral honey as markers of botanical origin

The samples of unifloral Paliurus spina-christi honey were analysed by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC, GC–MS) in order to obtain complete patterns of headspace, volatile and semi-volatile compounds. In headspace pattern the most abundant compounds and possible markers were nonanal, four isomers of lilac aldehyde, decanal, methyl nonanoate, hexanoic and 2-ethylhexanoic acids. Although the main components of USE extracts were higher saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, higher aliphatic alcohols and acids, they can not be considered reliable biomarkers due to their probable origin from bee wax or bee cuticle. Although present in small quantities, the more reliable markers in the extracts were benzene derivatives (particularly 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-methoxybenzoic acid) along with lower aliphatic acids (butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic and nonanoic).     

Comparison of fermented soybean paste (Doenjang) prepared by different methods based on profiling of volatile compounds

Abstract: In this study, 2 different extraction methods, namely solvent‐assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) and solid‐phase microextraction (SPME), were employed to investigate the comprehensive volatile profile of Doenjang (one of Korean fermented soybean pastes) efficiently. Quantitatively, major volatiles of Doenjang isolated by SAFE were 3‐methylbutanoic acid, butanoic acid, 3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one (maltol), ethyl 2‐methylbutanoate, 2‐methylpropanoic acid, tetramethylpyrazine, and 4‐ethyl‐2‐methoxyphenol, while ethanol, ethenylbenzene, ethyl benzoate, ethyl linoleate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, tetramethylpyrazine, and ethyl 2‐methylpropanoate extracted by SPME. In addition, volatile profiling that applied principal component analysis to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry datasets allowed Doenjang samples that had been prepared using different traditional and commercial methods to be discriminated, and the volatile compounds that contributed to their discrimination were assigned. The major volatiles that were related to differentiation of traditional and commercial Doenjang samples were 2‐pentylfuran, 4‐ethylphenol, dihydro‐5‐methyl‐2(3H)‐furanone, butanoic acid, pyrazines (for example, 2‐ethyl‐5‐methylpyrazine and 2,3‐dimethylpyrazine), esters (for example, ethyl 4‐methylpentanoate and diethyl succinate), maltol, dimethyl disulfide, 2‐ and 3‐methylbutanal, hexanal, 4‐vinylphenol, and ethanol.     

Changes in volatile compounds of palm sap (Arenga pinnata) during the heating process for production of palm sugar

This study was carried out to determine the changes of volatile compounds composition during palm sugar production. The samples were collected at every 30 min interval for 4 h of heating process at 150 °C from a local traditional manufacturer in Kuala Pilah, Malaysia. The analyses were performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry after headspace solid phase micro extraction. The results showed that N-heterocyclic chemical class possessed the highest relative percentage area (RPA) 83.69%, followed by O-heterocyclic group with RPA of 14.5%. Main volatile compounds the determined were 5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta pyrazine and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H) furanone which were responsible for roasty and sweet caramel-like aroma notes, respectively. The pyrazine compounds increase exponentially with heating time but furan derivatives compounds were formed at a later stage, i.e. at 180 min of heating time and above 105 °C.     

绿头野板鸭挥发性风味物质的检测

采用固相微萃取结合气相色谱/质谱联用技术检测了绿头野鸭鲜鸭、绿头野板鸭以及市售腊鸭的挥发性风味物质的种类及其相对含量。结果显示,板鸭84种挥发性风味物质分别为烃类17种、酮类9种、酸类7种、酯类7种、醚类2种、醛类13种、醇类17种、芳香族化合物10种、呋喃类1种、含硫化合物1种。通过与鲜鸭以及市售腊鸭的对比分析,初步判定绿头野板鸭的特征风味物质为香桧烯、（-）-柠檬烯、己醛、异戊醛、戊醛、壬醛、辛醛、2,3-辛二酮、己酸、戊酸、1-辛烯-3-醇等。为改进其加工工艺及产品品质提供理论依据。      

HS‐SPME/GC‐MS and chemometrics for volatile composition of Chinese traditional aromatic vinegar in the Zhenjiang region

The main purpose of this study was to determine the volatile composition of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, one of the four famous China‐style cereal vinegars, by using headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME)/gas chromatography‐mass spectrum (GC‐MS) and chemometrics. For this purpose, the HS‐SPME sampling method for the volatile compounds of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar was optimized by a second‐order rotatable central composite experimental design (CCD). A HS extraction of the volatile compounds by incubation on a 65 µm thickness polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fibre during 44.2 min at 69.5°C with 1.9 g NaCl add gave the most effective and accurate extraction. By the optimized method, a total of 58 volatile compounds, including 9 alcohols, 13 acids, 16 esters, 5 aldehydes, 4 ketones and 8 heterocycle compounds, were identified from 13 aromatic vinegar samples manufactured in Zhenjiang region. By principal components analysis (PCA), the thirteen vinegar samples were classified into 3 groups, and 10 volatile compounds were chosen as characteristic compounds of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegars. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Quantification of volatile compounds in Chinese soy sauce aroma type liquor by stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND: Considering the important of aroma compounds on the quality of baijiu, stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was applied to the aromas analysis of baijiu (Chinese liquor). RESULTS: Based on the results of optimization, a total of 76 volatile compounds were identified from 14 Chinese liquors, including 25 esters, 10 alcohols, 9 aldehydes and ketones, 8 aromatic compounds, 5 furans, 3 nitrogen‐containing compounds, 6 acids, 4 phenols, 3 terpenes, 1 sulfide‐containing compound, 1 lactone, and 1 acetal. By principal component analysis based on quantification results, 14 Chinese liquor samples could be classified into three groups. CONCLUSION: SBSE is a fast, simple, effective, and reliable method for extracting volatile compounds from Chinese liquor. The chemometrics approach revealed that LJ liquor with soy sauce aroma could exhibit more prominent sauce flavor through extending the time of storage, and its peculiar manufacturing practice was responsible for the soy sauce flavor. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Supercritical fluid extraction and hydrodistillation for the recovery of bioactive compounds from Lavandula viridis L’Hér

The chemical profiles of bioactive essential oil and extracts obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), respectively, from Lavandula viridis were compared. The SFE was performed at 40 °C and at extraction pressures of 12 or 18 MPa in two different separators. Evaluation of the essential oil and SFE extracts by GC–FID and GC–IT–MS revealed that oxygen-containing monoterpenes were the major constituents in both cases, but there were important differences between the chemical profiles produced by the different extraction techniques. More compounds were isolated by HD but higher yields were achieved by SFE. Camphor was the main component identified in the essential oil (31.59 ± 1.32%), and in extracts from the first (1.61 ± 0.34%) and second SFE separators (22.48 ± 1.49%) at 12 MPa. In contrast, the first separator SFE extract at 18 MPa (heavy compounds) was dominated by myrtenol (5.38 ± 2.04%) and camphor (4.81 ± 1.93%), whereas the second separator SFE extract (volatiles) was dominated by verbenone (13.97 ± 5.27%). The essential oil and heavy compound extracts from the first separator possessed antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities. Our data show that phytochemicals from the aerial parts of L. viridis could be developed as natural antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase drugs, with particular applications in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.