Molecular decoding a meat-like aroma generated from Laetiporus sulphureus-mediated fermentation of onion (Allium cepa L.).

The organoleptic properties of plant-based meat alternatives do not meet consumer expectations due to the lack of characteristic flavors resembling meat. To address this challenge, a fermentation system utilizing Laetiporussulphureus was developed to generate a meat-like and fatty flavor from a vegetable source, onion. By means of multiple stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry, an unsaturated aldehyde, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, which imparts a tallow-like and fatty odor, and a sulfurous compound benzothiazole, with a broth-like odor were identified, which well contributed to the characteristic odor of the supernatant. (E,Z)-2,4-Decadienal as the most important odorant (odor activity value = 206) was biosynthesized by transformation of linoleic acid with L.sulphureus, as revealed by isotopic tracing experiments. For the first time in Basidiomycota, the biogenetic pathway of (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal from linoleic acid was proposed.

Production of a Cheese-Like Aroma via Fermentation of Plant Proteins and Coconut Oil with the Basidiomycetes Cyclocybe aegerita and Trametes versicolor.

Cheese is one of the most common dairy products and is characterized by its complex aroma. However, in times of climate change and resource scarcity, the possibility to mimic the characteristic cheese-like aroma from plant-based sources is in demand to offer alternatives to cheese. Accordingly, the production of a natural cheese-like aroma via fermentation of four plant-based proteins and coconut oil with basidiomycetes has been addressed. Mixtures of soy and sunflower protein with coconut oil (15 g/L) have shown the formation of a cheese-like aroma after 72 and 56 h after fermentation with Cyclocybe aegerita and Trametes versicolor, respectively. Isovaleric acid, butanoic acid, ethyl butanoate, 1-octen-3-ol, and various ketones were identified as the key odorants. Similarities to typical cheeses were observed by the principal component analysis. Overall, the finding offered an approach to a sustainable production of a natural cheese-like aroma from a plant source, thus contributing to the development of cheese alternatives.