Comparison evaluation pretreatments on the quality characteristics, oxidative stability, and volatile flavor of walnut oil.

In this study, we applied various thermal pretreatment methods (e.g., hot-air, microwave, and stir-frying) to process walnut kernels, and conducted comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties, nutritional components, in vitro antioxidant activity, and flavor substances of the extracted walnut oil (WO). The results indicated that, thermal pretreatment significantly increased the extraction of total trace nutrients (e.g., total phenols, tocopherols, and phytosterols) in WO. The WO produced using microwave had 2316.71 mg/kg of total trace nutrients, closely followed by the stir-frying method, which yielded an 11.22% increase compared to the untreated method. The WO obtained by the microwave method had a higher Oxidative inductance period (4.05 h) and oil yield (2.48%). After analyzing the flavor in WO, we found that aldehydes accounted for 28.77% of the 73 of volatile compounds and 58.12% of the total flavor compound content in microwave-pretreated WO, these percentages were higher than those recorded by using other methods. Based on the comprehensive score obtained by the PCA, microwave-pretreatment might be a promising strategy to improve the quality of WO based on aromatic characteristics.

Sensomics-Assisted Characterization of Fungal-Flowery Aroma Components in Fermented Tea Using Eurotium cristatum.

Fermented tea (FT) using a single Eurotium cristatum strain can produce a pleasant fungal-flowery aroma, which is similar to the composite aroma characteristic of minty, flowery, and woody aromas, but its molecular basis is not yet clear. In this study, solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry were applied to isolate and identify volatiles from the FT by E. cristatum. The application of an aroma extract dilution analysis screened out 43 aroma-active compounds. Quantification revealed that there were 11 odorants with high odor threshold concentrations. Recombination and omission tests revealed that nonanal, methyl salicylate, decanoic acid, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, α-terpineol, phenylacetaldehyde, and coumarin were the major odorants in the FT. Addition tests further verified that methyl salicylate, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, and coumarin were the key odorants for fungal-flowery aroma, each corresponding to minty, woody, and flowery aromas, respectively. 4-Methoxybenzaldehyde and coumarin were newly found odorants for fungal-flowery aroma in FT, and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde had not been reported as a tea volatile compound before. This finding may guide future industrial production optimization of FT with improved flavor.

Ultrasound Assisted Coextraction of Cornicabra Olives and Thyme to Obtain Flavored Olive Oils.

Flavoring olive oils is a new trend in consumer preferences, and different enrichment techniques can be used. Coextraction of olives with a flavoring agent is an option for obtaining a flavored product without the need for further operations. Moreover, ultrasound (US) assisted extraction is an emergent technology able to increase extractability. Combining US and coextraction, it is possible to obtain new products using different types of olives (e.g., cultivar and ripening stage), ingredient(s) with the greatest flavoring and/or bioactive potential, as well as extraction conditions. In the present study, mastic thyme (Thymus mastichina L.) (TM) and lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus) (TC) were used for flavoring Cornicabra oils by coextraction. The coextraction trials were performed by (i) thyme addition to the olives during crushing or malaxation and (ii) US application before malaxation. Several parameters were evaluated in the oil: quality criteria parameters, total phenols, fatty acid composition, chlorophyll pigments, phenolic profile and oxidative stability. US application did not change the phenolic profile of Cornicabra olive oils, while the enrichment of olive oils with phenolic compounds or pigments by coextraction was very dependent on the thyme used. TM enrichment showed an improvement of several new phenolic compounds in the oils, while with TC, fewer new phenols were observed. In turn, in the trials with TC, the extraction of chlorophyll pigments was higher, particularly in crushing coprocessing. Moreover, the oils obtained with US and TM added in the mill or in the malaxator showed lower phenol decrease (59%) than oils flavored with TC (76% decrease) or Cornicabra virgin olive oil (80% decrease) over an 8-month storage period. Multivariate data analysis, considering quality parameters, pigments and phenolic contents, showed that flavored oils were mainly grouped by age.

The potential of almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts SFE-CO2 extracts as sources of bread flavouring ingredients.

Nuts have been part of the human diet since our early ancestors, and their use goes beyond nutritional purposes, for example, as aromatic sources for dairy products. This work explores the potential of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DA Webb), hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), and walnut (Juglans regia L.) extracts as sources of food flavouring agents, suggesting a new added-value application for lower quality or excess production fruits. The extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide and characterized by: quantification of the volatile fraction by HS-SPME GC-MS; sensory perception and description; and cytotoxicity against Vero cells. All extracts revealed potential as flavouring ingredients due to terpene abundance. No significant differences were observed for the minimal sensory perception, in which the odour threshold values ranged from 8.3 × 10-4 to 6.9 × 10-3 µg·mL-1 for walnuts and almonds extracts, respectively. In contrast, the cytotoxic potential differed significantly among the extracts, and P. dulcis extract presented lower cytotoxicity. Notes as woody, fresh, and green were identified in the volatile intensifiers obtained from the P. dulcis extract. Thus, almond extract was identified as the most promising ingredient to increase the sensory value of food products, namely bread. This potential was verified by an increase in the odour perception of bread after adding 4 µL of extract to each 100 g of bread dough. The quantified eucalyptol and d-limonene terpenes - found in the P. dulcis extract - have improved the release of the pleasant and natural volatile compounds from bread crust and crumb compared to the control bread chemical and sensory profiles.

Insights into the Key Odorants in Large-Leaf Yellow Tea (Camellia sinensis) by Application of the Sensomics Approach.

Large-leaf yellow tea (LYT) is a yellow tea product with a specific aroma characteristic and is enjoyed with increasing enthusiasm in China. However, its key odorants are still unknown. In this study, 46 odorants in the headspace and vacuum-distillate of the tea infusion were identified via aroma extract dilution analysis. Sixteen compounds were newly found in LYT infusion. They were present in the highest flavor dilution factors together with 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine. All odorants were quantitated to evaluate their own odor activity values (OAVs). High OAVs were found for 2-methylbutanal (malty, 210), (E,E)-2,4-heptandienal (fatty/flowery, 170), 2-methylpropanal (malty, 120) and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine (earthy/roasty, 110). An aroma recombinate consisting of 17 odorants (all OAVs ≥ 1) in an odorless nonvolatile LYT matrix mimicked the overall aroma of the original infusion, verifying the successful characterization of key aroma components in a LYT beverage. The knowledge of key odorants obtained showed potential for simplifying industrial flavor optimization of the LYT product.

Flavours and flavourings in waterpipe products: a comparison between tobacco, herbal molasses and steam stones.

ObjectivesFlavoured products are especially appealing to youth and contribute to the onset of waterpipe smoking and continued use of waterpipe tobacco. The goal of database and chemical analysis was to provide a clear overview of commonly used flavours and flavourings in tobacco and related waterpipe products, that is, herbal molasses and steam stones. METHODS: In 2019, 249 waterpipe tobacco products were registered in the European Common Entry Gate by manufacturers to be marketed in The Netherlands. Flavour categories were assigned to the registered products based on their brand names and product descriptions. Nicotine and eleven 1111 flavourings were identified and quantified in waterpipe tobacco (n=8), herbal molasses (n=7) and steam stones (n=4) by extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. RESULTS: Flavour categories could be assigned to 237 of 249 registered waterpipe tobacco products. Eight flavour main categories and 48 unique subcategories were identified and presented in a flavour wheel. All registered waterpipe tobacco products were flavoured, and the majority (78%) was fruit flavoured. Herbal molasses contained similar median flavouring levels, and steam stones contained lower median levels compared with waterpipe tobacco. Flavourings in waterpipe products were almost exclusively fruity and sweet, often in combination with menthol/mint flavourings. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to present a waterpipe tobacco flavour wheel, providing a quick overview of waterpipe tobacco flavours and thereby aiding communication among experts around the globe. GC-MS analysis revealed that the most prevalent flavourings are present in similar levels in herbal and tobacco waterpipe products. Banning flavourings in all waterpipe products would be a good strategy to reduce waterpipe smoking among youth.

Multi-omics and enzyme activity analysis of flavour substances formation: Major metabolic pathways alteration during Congou black tea processing.

To comprehensively analyse flavour substance formation in Congou black tea, dynamic changes in non-volatile and volatile compositions and enzymatic activity were analysed. In total, 107 non-volatile and 222 volatile compositions were identified via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive/MS) and stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC-MS), and eight metabolic pathways were explored during tea processing. Significant variations in metabolites were observed during processing (P < 0.05), especially in the fermentation stage, including high accumulation of taste and colour substances due to decreased flavonoid synthase activity and elevated oxidase activity. Correlation analysis clarified that the mutual transformation between non-volatile and volatile substances occurs in certain types of processing, including amino acids, amino acid-derived volatiles (AADVs), glycosidically bound volatiles (GBVs), and volatile terpenoids (VTs). Our study provides a detailed overview of the dynamic changes of in flavour substrates and key enzyme activities during Congou black tea processing.

Identifying sensory drivers of liking for plant-based milk coffees: Implications for product development and application.

The global plant-based product market is growing rapidly, and plant-based milks show promising potential in the coffee beverage sector. This study aimed to identify sensory drivers of liking of plant-based milk coffees for guiding the development of plant-based products with competitive advantages over dairy milk coffees. Twelve coffee samples were prepared with plant-based (oat, soy, almond, and coconut) and dairy (cow) milk. Quantitative descriptive analysis was used to generate sensory attribute terms for the 12 samples. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions were given to consumers to evaluate the sensory profiles and consumer acceptance of the 12 samples. Correspondence analysis and cluster analysis of the CATA results from 80 consumers showed that the oat and soy milk coffee samples were closer to what the consumers perceived as "typical" milk products, while the coconut and almond milk coffee samples were closer to the "flavored" milk products. Partial least squares regression results revealed that the attributes smooth, milky, and thick were important drivers of liking for the milk coffee samples. On the contrary, rancid oil, greasy, astringent, and rice bran were the major sensory attributes lowering the panelists' acceptance of the milk coffee samples. The majority of consumers (53.5%) were "dairy milk lovers," who specifically liked the dairy milk coffee sample and had low acceptance for the plant-based milk coffee samples. There was also a group of consumers (46.2%) classified as "plant-based milk coffee lovers." They enjoyed coffees prepared with a wide range of milks (both dairy and nondairy milks) and represent high-potential consumers for plant-based milk coffee products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The positive and negative drivers of liking for plant-based milk coffee samples were identified. A competitive landscape analysis method for assessing the acceptability and sensory attributes of 12 milk coffee samples (11 commercial plant-based milks and 1 dairy milk product) in the current Asian market was established. The sensory terms developed in this study can also be applied to evaluate sensory profiles of other plant-based and dairy milk coffee samples.

Decoding the Fine Flavor Properties of Dark Chocolates.

Fine flavor properties of chocolates such as fruity, floral, and cocoa-like were decoded on a molecular level for the first time. The molecular compositions of six chocolates made out of liquors that were referenced with specific sensory attributes were analyzed. After the screening for odor-active molecules by aroma extract dilution analysis, selected compounds were quantitated with the overall aim to decode the distinct fine flavor attributes on a molecular level. Acidic and fruity flavor notes were associated with high dose over threshold factors (DoT factors) of acetic acid and fruity smelling esters such as ethyl 2-methylbutanaote, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, and 3-methylbutyl acetate, respectively. Cocoa-like and roasty flavor notes were associated with high DoT factors for 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3(2H)-one, and dimethyltrisulfane. The floral and astringent flavors were linked to high DoT factors of (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, procyanidin C1, and 2-phenylethan-1-ol.

Decoding the Specific Roasty Aroma Wuyi Rock Tea (Camellia sinensis: Dahongpao) by the Sensomics Approach.

Aroma extract dilution analysis was performed on volatile fractions extracted from a freshly prepared Dahongpao (DHP) tea infusion using solvent-assisted flavor evaporation, yielding 65 odor-active domains with flavor dilution factors ranging between 32 and 32,768. In addition, six aromatic substances were captured by headspace analysis. Quantitation of 54 compounds by an internal standard method and stable isotope dilution assays revealed that the concentrations of 32 odorants exceeded their respective orthonasal odor threshold values in tea infusion. The results of odor activity values (OAVs) suggested that 2-metylbutanal (malty) and γ-hexalactone (coconut-like) had the highest OAVs (248 and 154). Eight odorants including γ-hexalactone (OAV 154), methyl 2-methylbutanoate (59), phenylacetic acid (7.2), acetylpyrazine (5.7), 2-methoxyphenol (3.4), p-cresol (2.7), 2,6-diethylpyrazine (2.7), and vanillin (1.8) were newly identified as key odorants in DHP tea infusion. An aroma recombination model in a non-volatile matrix extracted from tea infusion satisfactorily mimicked the overall aroma of DHP tea infusion, thereby confirming the identification and quantitative experiments. Omission experiments verified the obvious significance of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (OAV 91), 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (19), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3(2H)-one (13), and acetylpyrazine (5.7) as key odorants for the special roasty and caramel-like aroma of DHP tea.

Determinants of Task-Based Exposures to Alpha-Diketones in Coffee Roasting and Packaging Facilities Using a Bayesian Model Averaging Approach.

Coffee production workers can be exposed to inhalational hazards including alpha-diketones such as diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Exposure to diacetyl is associated with the development of occupational lung disease, including obliterative bronchiolitis, a rare and irreversible lung disease. We aimed to identify determinants contributing to task-based exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione at 17 U.S. coffee production facilities. We collected 606 personal short-term task-based samples including roasting (n = 189), grinding (n = 74), packaging (n = 203), quality control (QC, n = 44), flavoring (n = 15), and miscellaneous production/café tasks (n = 81), and analyzed for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione in accordance with the modified OSHA Method 1013/1016. We also collected instantaneous activity-based (n = 296) and source (n = 312) samples using evacuated canisters. Information on sample-level and process-level determinants relating to production scale, sources of alpha-diketones, and engineering controls was collected. Bayesian mixed-effect regression models accounting for censored data were fit for overall data (all tasks) and specific tasks. Notable determinants identified in univariate analyses were used to fit all plausible models in multiple regression analysis which were summarized using a Bayesian model averaging method. Grinding, flavoring, packaging, and production tasks with ground coffee were associated with the highest short-term and instantaneous-activity exposures for both analytes. Highest instantaneous-sources of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione included ground coffee, flavored coffee, liquid flavorings, and off-gassing coffee bins or packages. Determinants contributing to higher exposures to both analytes in all task models included sum of all open storage sources and average percent of coffee production as ground coffee. Additionally, flavoring ground coffee and flavoring during survey contributed to notably higher exposures for both analytes in most, but not all task groups. Alternatively, general exhaust ventilation contributed to lower exposures in all but two models. Additionally, among facilities that flavored, local exhaust ventilation during flavoring processes contributed to lower 2,3-pentanedione exposures during grinding and packaging tasks. Coffee production facilities can consider implementing additional exposure controls for processes, sources, and task-based determinants associated with higher exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, such as isolating, enclosing, and directly exhausting grinders, flavoring mixers, and open storage of off-gassing whole bean and ground coffee, to reduce exposures and minimize risks for lung disease among workers.

Case Study: Efficacy of Engineering Controls in Mitigating Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentanedione Emissions During Coffee Grinding.

Exposure to elevated levels of diacetyl in flavoring and microwave popcorn production has been associated with respiratory impairment among workers including from a severe lung disease known as obliterative bronchiolitis. Laboratory studies demonstrate damage to the respiratory tract in rodents exposed to either diacetyl or the related alpha-diketone 2,3-pentanedione. Respiratory tract damage includes the development of obliterative bronchiolitis-like changes in the lungs of rats repeatedly inhaling either diacetyl or 2,3-pentanedione. In one flavored coffee processing facility, current workers who spent time in higher diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione areas had lower lung function values, while five former flavoring room workers were diagnosed with obliterative bronchiolitis. In that and other coffee roasting and packaging facilities, grinding roasted coffee beans has been identified as contributing to elevated levels of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. To reduce worker exposures, employers can take various actions to control exposures according to the hierarchy of controls. Because elimination or substitution is not applicable to coffee production facilities not using flavorings, use of engineering controls to control exposures at their source is especially important. This work demonstrates the use of temporary ventilated enclosures around grinding equipment in a single coffee roasting and packaging facility to mitigate diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione emissions from grinding equipment to the main production space. Concentrations of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione were measured in various locations throughout the main production space as well as inside and outside of ventilated enclosures to evaluate the effect of the enclosures on exposures. Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione concentrations outside one grinder enclosure decreased by 95 and 92%, respectively, despite ground coffee production increasing by 12%, after the enclosure was installed. Outside a second enclosure, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione concentrations both decreased 84%, greater than the 33% decrease in ground coffee production after installation. Temporary ventilated enclosures used as engineering control measures in this study effectively reduced emissions of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione at the source in this facility. These findings motivated management to explore options with a grinding equipment manufacturer to permanently ventilate their grinders to reduce emissions of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione.

The Varietal Influence of Flavour Precursors from Grape Marc on Monoterpene and C13-Norisoprenoid Profiles in Wine as Determined by Membrane-Assisted Solvent Extraction (MASE) GC-MS.

The winemaking by-product grape marc (syn. pomace) contains significant quantities of latent flavour in the form of flavour precursors which can be extracted and used to modulate the volatile composition of wine via chemical hydrolysis. Varietal differences in grapes are widely known with respect to their monoterpene content, and this work aimed to extend this knowledge into differences due to cultivar in volatiles derived from marc precursors following wine-like storage conditions. Marc extracts were produced from floral and non-floral grape lots on a laboratory-scale and from Muscat Gordo Blanco marc on a winery -scale, added to a base white wine for storage over five to six months, before being assessed using a newly developed membrane-assisted solvent extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The geraniol glucoside content of the marc extracts was higher than that of juices produced from each grape lot. In all wines with added marc extract from a floral variety, geraniol glucoside concentration increased by around 150-200%, with increases also observed for non-floral varieties. The relative volatile profile from extracts of the floral varieties was similar but had varied absolute concentrations. In summary, while varietally pure extracts would provide the greatest control over flavour outcomes when used in winemaking, aggregated marc parcels from floral cultivars may provide a mechanism to simplify the production logistics of latent flavour extracts for use in the wine sector.

Characterisation of Flavour Attributes in Egg White Protein Using HS-GC-IMS Combined with E-Nose and E-Tongue: Effect of High-Voltage Cold Plasma Treatment Time.

Egg white protein (EWP) is susceptible to denaturation and coagulation when exposed to high temperatures, adversely affecting its flavour, thereby influencing consumers' decisions. Here, we employ high-voltage cold plasma (HVCP) as a novel nonthermal technique to investigate its influence on the EWP's flavour attributes using E-nose, E-tongue, and headspace gas-chromatography-ion-mobilisation spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) due to their rapidness and high sensitivity in identifying flavour fingerprints in foods. The EWP was investigated at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 s of HVCP treatment time. The results revealed that HVCP significantly influences the odour and taste attributes of the EWP across all treatments, with a more significant influence at 60 and 120 s of HVCP treatment. Principal component analyses of the E-nose and E-tongue clearly distinguish the odour and taste sensors' responses. The HS-GC-IMS analysis identified 65 volatile compounds across the treatments. The volatile compounds' concentrations increased as the HVCP treatment time was increased from 0 to 300 s. The significant compounds contributing to EWP characterisation include heptanal, ethylbenzene, ethanol, acetic acid, nonanal, heptacosane, 5-octadecanal, decanal, p-xylene, and octanal. Thus, this study shows that HVCP could be utilised to modify and improve the EWP flavour attributes.

Maillard reaction products and guaiacol as production process and raw material markers for the authentication of sesame oil.

BACKGROUND: Sesame oil has an excellent flavor and is widely appreciated. It has a higher price than other vegetable oils because of the high price of its raw materials, and different processing techniques also result in products of different quality levels, which can command different prices. In the market, there is a persistent problem of adulteration of sesame oil, driven by economic interests. The screening of volatile markers used to distinguish the authenticity of sesame oil raw materials and production processes is therefore very important. RESULTS: In this work, six markers related to the production processes and raw materials of sesame oil were screened by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) combined with chemometric analysis. They were 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-ethyl-5-methyl-pyrazine, guaiacol, 2,6-dimethyl-pyrazine, 5-methyl furfural, and ethyl-pyrazine. The concentration of these markers in sesame oil is between 10 and1000 times that found in other vegetable oils. However, only 3-methyl-2-butanone and 2-ethyl-5-methyl-pyrazine differed significantly as the result of the use of different production processes. Except for guaiacol, which was mainly derived from raw materials, the other five compounds mentioned above all result from the Maillard reaction during thermal processing. The six compounds mentioned above are sufficient to distinguish fraud involving sesame oil raw materials and production processes, and can identify accurately adulteration levels of 30% concentration. CONCLUSION: In this study, the classification markers can identify the adulteration of sesame oil accurately. These six compounds are therefore important for the authenticity of sesame oil and provide a theoretical basis for the rapid and accurate identification of the authenticity of sesame oil. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of coffee brewing methods on the chromatographic and spectroscopic profiles, antioxidant and sensory properties.

Cold brewing coffee has gained increasing popularity as a novel brewing method. A completely different flavour profile during cold brewing extraction (smooth and mild) is a result of the low-energy process, prolonged water-grind contact times and long preparation time. The aim of our research was to compare coffee drinks obtained with an innovative device for a faster, dynamic cold coffee extraction process (Hardtank) to drinks prepared traditionally in 24 h and hot brewed drinks. This study investigated the differences in chemical composition (volatile, non-volatile and lipid compounds), sensory properties and antioxidant capacity of coffee drinks from various extraction processes carried out at variable brewing temperatures, times and percolation modes. The results showed that the new cold maceration technique using coffee bed percolation (Hardtank) improved the quality of cold coffee drinks, making them similar in taste to hot coffee drinks. Among the studied extractions, the combination of a lower temperature (19.3 °C) and percolation process appeared to be the ideal setting for the most efficient extraction of compounds such as chlorogenic acids, gallic acid, caffeine, trigonelline, 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural and lipids and consequently for their intake. In addition, FTIR spectra indicated an even 4 times greater quantity of lipids in Hardtank drinks than in classic cold brew and up to 5 times more lipids than in hot brew coffee, which contribute to the formation of the aroma and flavour. The decreased extraction time and use of coffee bed percolation could be beneficial for the quality and taste of cold brew products.

New Insights on Volatile Components of Vanilla planifolia Cultivated in Taiwan.

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) is a precious natural flavoring that is commonly used throughout the world. In the past, all vanilla used in Taiwan was imported; however, recent breakthroughs in cultivation and processing technology have allowed Taiwan to produce its own supply of vanilla. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with GC-FID and GC-MS was used to analyze the volatile components of vanilla from different origins produced in Taiwan under different cultivation and processing conditions. The results of our study revealed that when comparing different harvest maturities, the composition diversity and total volatile content were both higher when the pods were matured for more than 38 weeks. When comparing different killing conditions, we observed that the highest vanillin percentage was present after vanilla pods were killed three times in 65 °C treatments for 1 min each. From the experiment examining the addition of different strains, the PCA results revealed that the volatiles of vanilla that was processed with Dekkera bruxellensis and Bacillus subtilis was clearly distinguished from which obtained by processing with the other strains. Vanilla processed with B. subtilis contained 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, and this was not detected in other vanillas. Finally, when comparing the vanillin percentage from seven different regions in Taiwan, vanilla percentage from Taitung and Taoyuan Longtan were the highest.

Small in size, big on taste: Metabolomics analysis of flavor compounds from Philippine garlic.

Philippine garlic (Allium sativum L.) is arguably known to pack flavor and aroma in smaller bulbs compared to imported varieties saturating the local market. In this study, ethanolic extracts of Philippine garlic cultivars were profiled using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF). γ-Glu dipeptides, oligosaccharides and lipids were determined in Philippine garlic cultivars through bioinformatics analysis in GNPS Molecular Networking Platform and fragmentation analysis. Multivariate statistical analysis using XCMS Online showed the abundance of γ-Glu allyl cysteine in Batanes-sourced garlic while γ-Glu propenyl cysteine, γ-Glu methyl cysteine, and alliin are enriched in the Ilocos cultivar. Principal component analysis showed that the γ-Glu dipeptides found in local garlic influenced their distinct separation across PC1 from imported varieties. This presence of high levels of γ-Glu dipeptides and probiotic oligosaccharides may potentially contribute to the superior flavor and nutritional benefits of Philippine garlic.

Context effect of environmental setting and product information in acceptability testing of tea and cola: A study comparing sensory engagement in a traditional sensory booth and a study commons.

Sensory evaluation of food relies heavily on the eating context. The objective of this study was to determine how the context effect, created from differences in environmental setting and product information, affects consumer's acceptability of two types of beverages. Participants of this study rated five ready-to-drink tea products and five diet cola products on a 9-point hedonic scale. Environmental setting differences were created by altering testing locations, and product information differences were created by serving the same samples with or without product name and image. Self-reported sensory engagement was measured in each location. Tea samples showed significantly higher appearance liking ratings in the sensory booth location as well as higher flavor liking ratings when product information was provided. Cola samples did not show a significant effect of testing location but did show a significant product information by sample interaction, where well-established brands received higher ratings when product information was provided. Overall, results were product-specific; testing location does not appear to have a large influence on hedonic scores for certain beverages, and the impact of product information varies largely depending on the product type and brand. The laboratory sensory booth setting provided higher panelist engagement overall. Additional research on the combination of external context and meal, sample, or social context is needed to fully explore the effect of eating context in sensory tests. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Findings from this study can help the food industry comprehend how test location may impact results of acceptability testing of different beverage products, both in terms of hedonic scores and sensory engagement. Results of this study also evidence the influence of sample information on product acceptability and how this influence differs based on the type of beverage and the popularity of the brand tested.

Characterization of Naturally Occurring Alpha-Diketone Emissions and Exposures at a Coffee Roasting Facility and Associated Retail Café.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-diketones such as diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione have been used as artificial flavorings in a variety of industries and are produced naturally when food products such as coffee beans are roasted. Exposure to these compounds has been associated with bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and severe respiratory disease. In the current paper, we (i) evaluate which steps in the coffee production process are associated with the highest alpha-diketone emissions at a small craft coffee roaster and associated café, (ii) determine the extent to which direct-reading measurements of CO, CO2, and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as lower-cost surrogate indicators for diacetyl concentrations, and (iii) conduct a limited emissions study to quantify the effect that the process variable of roast type has on diacetyl emissions from grinding beans. METHODS: Exposure and area concentration data for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione were collected over 4 days of sampling at a single coffee roaster and associated café. Additional measurements of café patrons' exposure to diacetyl were collected in seven other craft roastery/cafes in Seattle, WA. For the emissions experiments, integrated area air samples for diacetyl were collected using sorbent tubes over 30-min intervals for each roast type with the sorbent tubes positioned next to a grinder placed in an exposure chamber. Sorbent tubes were analyzed for alpha-diketones using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A photoionization detector (PID) was also used to measure continuous total VOC concentrations at the coffee roastery, and during each grinding experiment. RESULTS: Diacetyl concentrations in five of the seven personal samples from the craft roastery were above the United States National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 5 ppb as an 8-h time-weighted average (TWA)-and one of the seven personal samples exceeded the NIOSH REL for 2,3-pentanedione-9.3 ppb as an 8-h TWA. Median diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione emissions were highest at the bagging machine followed by the grinder, roaster, barista, and background areas. The arithmetic mean diacetyl concentrations from the seven personal samples collected from café patrons was 3.96 ppb, suggesting that diacetyl exposure poses a negligible health risk to café patrons. Correlations between diacetyl and total VOCs, CO, and CO2 showed that diacetyl was well correlated with total VOCs, but poorly correlated with CO and CO2. Based on our limited emissions study, French roast was associated with the highest mass emission factor of diacetyl. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the exposure assessment study indicated that coffee production workers at this facility had elevated exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione compared to recommended guidelines, whereas baristas and café patrons received lower exposures. Area sampling showed that the areas with the highest alpha-diketone emissions were the grinder and the bagging machine, which are both areas associated with tasks involving ground roasted coffee. Future research could focus on designing and evaluating effective engineering controls, in the form of local exhaust ventilation, with the goal of reducing alpha diketone exposures, as well as conducting similar studies at other small-scale craft coffee roasters and cafés to better understand the variability in these emissions and exposures within these types of facilities.