Dynamic release and perception of key odorants in grilled eel during chewing.

The release mechanism of odorants in the oral cavity during consumption directly affects sensory attributes, consumers' preferences, and ultimately purchase intent. Targets was set to monitor in real-time the key odorants released from grilled eel during mastication via an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) connected with a nose interface. The release and perception of odorants during mastication were divided into three distinct phases. Dimethyl sulfide was the main odorant in the first stage. The release and perception of fishy aromas were predominant in the middle and last stages of mastication contributed by trimethylamine, 1-penten-3-ol, and 2-methyl-1-butanol. Chewing behavior experiments suggested that extending the chewing period to >20 s and having a chewing frequency of 2 cycles/s could enhance the aroma delivery of grilled eel and optimize the consumer experience. Consequently, the results explained the relationship between aroma release and the optimal chewing behavior for grilled eel consumption.

Formation and conversion of characteristic volatile compounds in grilled eel (Astroconger myriaster) during different processing steps.

The aroma of grilled eel is affected by three key processing steps: curing, steaming, and grilling. This study was aimed at the determination of the difference between the characteristic volatiles in each processing stage and their influence on the final aroma of grilled eel. A total of 92 volatile compounds were identified by purge and trap (P&T) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) throughout the processing. Alcohol, ketone, aromatic compounds and methylated compounds were the most important volatiles in the eel meat during processing. Pyrazine was generated gradually during the entire process, and 2,3-dimethylpyrazine was only found in the sample after grilling. Distinct odors among the raw and treated samples could be indirectly distinguished according to their volatile compounds, analyzed by heatmap. Together, these results indicate a relationship between the final aroma and the whole processing. The odor coding made from the odor activity value (OAV) could be as a reference benchmark for the grilled eel product.

Flavor formation in different production steps during the processing of cold-smoked Spanish mackerel.

This study aimed to determine the changes in the flavor profile during different operating units when making cold-smoked Spanish mackerel. Sensory evaluation and instrumental analysis of tenderness were applied to optimize the processing parameters. For the overall odor perception, distinct odor among fresh and processed samples could be distinguished using electronic nose (e-Nose). Purge-and-trap (P&T) extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify volatile compounds. Alcohols were the major volatiles in Spanish mackerel over the whole processing, while 2-butanol was found in the highest concentration. Curing was an effective way to remove fishy odor. Drying decreased the concentration of volatiles, especially sulfur compounds. Odor formation in cold-smoked mackerel could be divided into four steps (curing, drying, cold smoking and heating) as a result of partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).