Effects of Riboflavin Photosensitized Oxidation on the Volatile Compounds of Soymilk

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Soymilks with or without added riboflavin in serum bottles were stored under light or in dark at 20 °C. The headspace oxygen and volatile compounds were determined by gas chromatography. Riboflavin had significant effects on the headspace oxygen depletion and volatile compounds formation in soymilk under light (P < 0.05). Riboflavin did not have significant effects on the formation of volatile compounds and the depletion of headspace oxygen in dark (P > 0.05). The volatile compounds increased under light, but not in dark as the added riboflavin increased. Storage temperature at 4 °C or 20 °C did not have significant difference in the effect of riboflavin on the headspace oxygen depletion in soymilk under light. Hexanal, an important beany flavor compound, was identified as the major volatile compound in the riboflavin photosensitized soymilk. Singlet oxygen oxidation was involved in the formation of volatile compounds in soymilk under light. Hexanal could be formed by singlet oxygen oxidation. Ascorbic acid, a quencher for singlet oxygen and the excited triplet sensitizer, significantly inhibited the formation of hexanal and total volatiles in soymilk under light.