ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate alterations in the fungal community and flavor substances in Yunnan-style sausages subjected to natural air-dried fermentation (NF), variable-temperature drying (VT), and constant-temperature drying (CT) and analyze the potential relationship between fungal community and flavor substances. The findings revealed that the NF group and VT group were more conducive to enhancing the accumulation of dominant fungi and characteristic flavor substances in Yunnan-style sausages. Glu, Ala, His, and Lys were identified as key taste substances based on their taste activity values (TAV ≥ 1). A total of 272 volatile compounds(VOCS) were detected in the sausage samples, while 28 key aroma compounds were screened based on the odor activity value (OAV ≥ 1). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that 12 key aroma compounds (VIP > 1) could be considered discriminative compounds, including (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, nonanal, heptanal, benzaldehyde, Dodecanal, cyclohexanol, and hexyl-Benzene, etc. Furthermore, Wickerhamoomyces and Debaryomyces were positively correlated with most of the key flavor substances and physicochemical indices (|r| > 0.6, P < 0.05), which were potential flavor-contributing fungi in Yunnan-style sausages.