Headspace Solid-phase Microextraction-gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Research Articles

Revealing the microbial diversity and volatile flavor formation in finger citron kombucha by metagenomic and GC-MS analysis

Kombucha is a kind of health drink formed by the metabolism of Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) composed of yeast, acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria, which is popular among researchers and fond of consumers because of its antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects. In this study, the finger citron kombucha with different fermentation time (2, 4, 6, 8 day) were analyzed by headspace solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and metagenomic sequencing. The results showed that a total of 76 volatiles were identified, including 15 key volatiles, such as linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, and limonene, which had a great influence on the flavor of kombucha. Metagenomic analysis showed that unclassified-g-Gluconobacter, Komagataeibacter saccharivorans, Gluconobacter-sp.-R71656 and other microorganisms were the dominant species in finger citron kombucha. Through the correlation heat map analysis of volatiles and microbial composition, it was found that Gluconobacter had a positive effect on the formation of most volatiles of kombucha. In addition, Novacetimonas hansenii, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Wickerhamiella sorbophila were also closely related to the flavor formation of kombucha. This study provided a theoretical basis for finding the key aroma-producing microorganisms in the fermentation process of finger citron kombucha and the subsequent construction of SCOBY.

Investigations on the Diffusion Behavior of Smoke-Associated Aroma Compounds into the Sausage Matrix as Affected by Casing, Caliber, and Packaging.

The aim of the study was to investigate how smoke-associated flavoring substances behave during storage in Frankfurter-type sausages. The diffusion behavior of seven selected aroma substances in the sausage matrix and the influence of the packaging and the casing were examined over a storage period of 28 days. The sausages were cut into uniformly thick layers at defined time intervals and examined by headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In general, three different groups could be distinguished: (1) even distribution over the entire product on the first day after smoking; (2) clear concentration gradient from outside to inside on the first day of storage, which leveled out until day 28 of storage; and (3) a clear concentration gradient that remained present throughout the storage period. In addition, only small effects were found in the distribution of flavorings between two types of packaging, selected casing, or different calibers.

Comparable analysis of flavor compounds and quality assessment of fermented bean curd using HS-SPME-GC/MS and colorimetric sensor array

This study aims to develop an effective tool by integrating traditional analysis methods with advanced sensor array technology and multiple algorithms, to achieve rapid characterization, qualitative identification, and flavor quality evaluation of fermented bean products. Firstly, the flavor compounds and flavor profiles of fermented bean curd from different manufacturers were identified using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) and quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). A total of 63 volatile compounds were identified, of which 13 volatile compounds were identified as the key differential compounds in selected samples. Eight descriptors were selected to represent the aroma characteristics of fermented bean curd. Based on the key differential compounds, a low-cost colorimetric sensor array (CSA) was designed and constructed. Furthermore, the feasibility of CSA combined with multiple algorithms was investigated for brand discrimination and flavor quality assessment. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) exhibited a better performance in distinguishing different flavor quality samples, and the recognition accuracy of its prediction set was 97.22%. The study suggests that CSA combined with multiple algorithms can be an effective tool for flavor characterization and qualitative discrimination of fermented bean curd, and can provide a new multi-dimensional analysis method for food analysis.

Tracking dry gin volatile organic compounds over distillation: a time course study

Why was the work done: The influence of distillation time on the volatile composition of gin has not been examined in detail at a commercial distillery. How was the work done: Headspace Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was used to tentatively identify 74 aroma compounds, with their concentration tracked in distillate samples over the course of three gin distillations. What are the main findings: Four unique fractions were identified using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering: ‘heads’, ‘early hearts’, ‘late hearts, and ‘tails’. The hearts fraction (n=24 samples) was examined further, fitting statistically appropriate models to 54 aroma volatiles. Three sub-groups of volatiles were identified, (i) highly volatile monoterpenes with rapidly decreasing concentration over the early hearts fraction, (ii) volatiles whose concentration increased gradually over the hearts fraction and (iii) less volatile sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, and monoterpenoids which increased rapidly in concentration in the later distillate. Complex cubic models fit 34 volatiles with very high significance (p>0.0001) over the hearts fraction (72%). Informal aroma sensory bench testing identified distinct aroma categories with, for example, ‘Spicy’ being commonly detected in the later distillate. Why is the work important: This investigation characterises the kinetics of flavour extraction over the course of a commercial gin distillation process. These findings highlight the potential for the expression of specific flavour characteristics by modifying the cut points of the distillation process

Lacto-fermented garlic handcrafted in the Lower Silesia Region (Poland): Microbial diversity, morpho-textural traits, and volatile compounds

The aim of the present study was to provide a first characterization of lacto-fermented garlic manufactured by local small-scale artisanal producers in the Lower Silesia Region (Poland). The lacto-fermented garlic samples showed high nutritional features in terms of antioxidant activity. A total of 86 compounds, belonging to various chemical classes, were identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). Most of these compounds belonged to six main classes, being sulfur compounds, esters and acetates, oxygenated monoterpenes, monoterpene hydrocarbons, and alcohols. Aldehydes, acids, ketones, furans, and phenols were also identified. In the analyzed samples, counts up to 8 log cfu g−1 were observed for lactic acid bacteria. Metataxonomic analysis revealed the presence of Levilactobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus, Latilactobacillus, Secundilactobacillus, Weissella, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Pediococcus, and Lacticaseibacillus among the major taxa. These results were confirmed by the isolation and characterization of viable lactic acid bacteria. Indeed, the presence of the closest relatives to Lacticaseibacillus casei group, Pediococcus parvulus, Levilactobacillus brevis, Levilactobacillus parabrevis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group was observed. A good acidification performance in salty garlic-based medium was observed for all the isolates that, between 8 and 15 days of fermentation, reached pH values comprised between 4 and 3.5, depending on the tested species. Of note, 15 out of the 37 lactic acid bacteria isolates (Levilactobacillus parabrevis, Pediococcus parvulus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group, and Lacticaseibacillus casei group) showed the presence of the hdcA gene of Gram-positive bacteria encoding for histidine decarboxylase. Furthermore, for 8 out of the 37 isolates the in-vitro exopolysaccharides production was observed. No isolate showed inhibitory activity against the three Listeria innocua strains used as surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes.

Effect of incubation temperature on identification of key odorants of sewage sludge using headspace GC analysis

Currently, headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is a widely used method to identify the key odorants of sludge. However, the effect of incubation temperature on the generation and emission of key odorants from sludge was still uncertain. Thus, in this paper, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and headspace gas chromatography-coupled ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) were carried out to analyze the volatiles emitted from the sludge incubated at different temperatures (30°C, 50°C, 60°C, and 80°C). The results indicated that the total volatile concentration of the sludge increased with temperatures, which affected the identified proportion of sludge key odorants to a certain extent. Differently from the aqueous solutions, the variation of volatile emission from the sludge was inconsistent with temperature changes, suggesting a multifactorial influence of incubation temperature on the identification of sludge odorants. The microbial community structure and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolic activity of the sludge samples were analyzed at the initial state, 30°C, and 80°C. Although no significant effect of incubation temperature on the microbial community structure of the sludge, the incubation at 80°C led to a noticeable decrease in microbial ATP metabolic activity, accompanied by a significant change in the proportion of odor-related microorganisms with low relative abundances. Changes in the composition and activity of these communities jointly contributed to the differences in odor emission from sludge at different temperatures. In summary, the incubation temperature affects the production and emission of volatiles from sludge through physicochemical and biochemical mechanisms, by which the microbial metabolism playing a crucial role. Therefore, when analyzing the key odorants of sludge, these factors should be considered.

Impact of storage time on microbial communities and flavor profiles in highland barley grains

Microbial activity and the resulting flavor changes in stored highland barley grains may reduce the product quality and pose potential risks to food safety with economic losses. This study aims to elucidate the association between microbial load and flavor compounds during the preservation of highland barley. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was used to investigate the microbial composition in stored highland barley. The volatile flavor components of the latter were identified via the headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Moreover, the study examined the correlation between the types of microorganisms and volatile flavor molecules. The results indicated that the dominant phyla in highland barley were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, with the dominant genera being Cladosporium, Vishniacozyma, Filobasidium, Udeniomyces, Cystofilobasidium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Monographella, Didymella, and Neoascochyta. Inside，Cystofilobasidium, Itersonilia, Sarocladium, Ustilago, Penicillium and Pyrenophora served as effective biomarkers to distinguish highland barley grains stored at different times. Further, the highland barley samples contained 192 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as alcohols, ketones, esters, alkanes, aldehydes, etc. The top 20 volatile flavor compounds with differences were selected based on the variable importance of projection (VIP) > 1. Based on the correlation analysis findings, it was found that the genera Cystofilobasidium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium hold promise in contributing volatile flavor compounds to highland barley. This study examined a pattern of changes in safety and quality across varying storage durations, providing crucial insights to enhance the flavor profile and texture of highland barley products.

Characterization of Key Aroma Compounds and Main Contributing Amino Acids in Hot-Pressed Oil Prepared from Various Peanut Varieties.

The production of peanut oil in the industrial sector necessitates the utilization of diverse raw materials to generate consistent batches with stable flavor profiles, thereby leading to an increased focus on understanding the correlation between raw materials and flavor characteristics. In this study, sensory evaluations, headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), odor activity value (OAV) calculations, and correlation analysis were employed to investigate the flavors and main contributing amino acids of hot-pressed oils derived from different peanut varieties. The results confirmed that the levels of alcohols, aldehydes, and heterocyclic compounds in peanut oil varied among nine different peanut varieties under identical processing conditions. The OAVs of 25 key aroma compounds, such as methylthiol, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,3-glutarone, exceeded a value of 1. The sensory evaluations and flavor content analysis demonstrated that pyrazines significantly influenced the flavor profile of the peanut oil. The concentrations of 11 amino acids showed a strong correlation with the levels of pyrazines. Notably, phenylalanine, lysine, glutamic acid, arginine, and isoleucine demonstrated significant associations with both pyrazine and nut flavors. These findings will provide valuable insights for enhancing the sensory attributes of peanut oil and selecting optimal raw peanuts for its production.

Discrimination and screening of volatile metabolites in atractylodis rhizoma from different varieties using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry, and ultra-fast gas chromatography electronic nose

Atractylodis rhizoma is a common bulk medicinal material with multiple species. Although different varieties of atractylodis rhizoma exhibit variations in their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities, they have not been adequately distinguished due to their similar morphological features. Hence, the purpose of this research is to analyze and characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in samples of atractylodis rhizoma using multiple techniques and to identify the key differential VOCs among different varieties of atractylodis rhizoma for effective discrimination. The identification of VOCs was carried out using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS) and headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), resulting in the identification of 60 and 53 VOCs, respectively. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was employed to screen potential biomarkers and based on the variable importance in projection (VIP ≥ 1.2), 24 VOCs were identified as critical differential compounds. Random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and back propagation neural network based on genetic algorithm (GA-BPNN) models based on potential volatile markers realized the greater than 90 % discriminant accuracies, which indicates that the obtained key differential VOCs are reliable. At the same time, the aroma characteristics of atractylodis rhizoma were also analyzed by ultra-fast gas chromatography electronic nose (Ultra-fast GC E-nose). This study indicated that the integration of HS-SPME-GC–MS, HS-GC-IMS and ultra-fast GC E-nose with chemometrics can comprehensively reflect the differences of VOCs in atractylodis rhizoma samples from different varieties, which will be a prospective tool for variety discrimination of atractylodis rhizoma.

Detection and Analysis of VOCs in Cherry Tomato Based on GC-MS and GC×GC-TOF MS Techniques.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a significant role in influencing the flavor quality of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme). The scarcity of systematic analysis of VOCs in cherry tomatoes can be attributed to the constraints imposed by detection technology and other contributing factors. In this study, the cherry tomato cultivar var. 'Zheyingfen1' was chosen due to its abundant fruit flavor. Two detection technology platforms, namely the commonly employed headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and the most advanced headspace solid-phase microextraction-full two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOFMS), were employed in the analysis. The VOCs of cherry tomato cultivar var. 'Zheyingfen1' fruits at red ripening stage were detected. A combined total of 1544 VOCs were detected using the two aforementioned techniques. Specifically, 663 VOCs were identified by through the HS-SPME-GC-MS method, 1026 VOCs were identified by through the HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOFMS, and 145 VOCs were identified by both techniques. The identification of β-ionone and (E)-2-nonenal as the principal VOCs was substantiated through the application of the relative odor activity value (rOAV) calculation and subsequent analysis. Based on the varying contribution rates of rOAV, the analysis of sensory flavor characteristics revealed that cherry tomato cultivar var. 'Zheyingfen1' predominantly exhibited green and fatty attributes, accompanied by elements of fresh and floral flavor characteristics. In conclusion, our study conducted a comprehensive comparison of the disparities between these two methodologies in detecting VOCs in cherry tomato fruits. Additionally, we systematically analyzed the VOC composition and sensory flavor attributes of the cherry tomato cultivar var. 'Zheyingfen1'. This research serves as a significant point of reference for investigating the regulatory mechanisms underlying the development of volatile flavor quality in cherry tomatoes.

A new HS-SPME-GC-MS analytical method to identify and quantify compounds responsible for changes in the volatile profile in five types of meat products during aerobic storage at 4 °C

Nowadays, it is important to monitor the freshness of meat during storage to protect consumers’ health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are responsible for odour and taste of food, and they give an indication about meat quality and freshness. This study had the aim to seek and select potential new markers of meat spoilage through a semi-quantitative analysis in five types of meat (beef, raw and baked ham, pork sausage and chicken) and then to develop a new quantitative analytical method to detect and quantify potential markers on five types of meat simultaneously. Firstly, a new headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS) method was developed to evaluate the volatile profile of five types of meat, preserved at 4 °C for 5 days. Among the 40 compounds identified, 15 were chosen and selected as potential shelf-life markers on the basis of their presence in most of meat samples or/and for their constant increasing/decreasing trend within the sample. Afterwards, a quantitative HS-SPME-GC–MS analytical method was developed to confirm which VOCs can be considered markers of shelf-life for these meat products, stored at 4 °C for 12 days. Some of the compounds analyzed attracted attention as they can be considered markers of shelf-life for at least 4 types of meat: 1-butanol, 3-methylbutanol, 1-hexanol, 2-nonanone, nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol and linalool. In conclusion, in this study a new quantitative HS-SPME-GC–MS analytical method to quantity 15 VOCs in five types of meat was developed and it was demonstrated that some of the compounds quantified can be considered markers of shelf-life for some of the meat products analyzed.

Characterization of Key Odorants in Lushan Yunwu Tea in Response to Intercropping with Flowering Cherry.

Lushan Yunwu tea (LSYWT) is a famous green tea in China. However, the effects of intercropping tea with flowering cherry on the overall aroma of tea have not been well understood. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for analysis. A total of 54 volatile compounds from eight chemical classes were identified in tea samples from both the intercropping and pure-tea-plantation groups. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and odor activity value (OAV) methods combined with sensory evaluation identified cis-jasmone, nonanal, and linalool as the key aroma compounds in the intercropping group. Benzaldehyde, α-farnesene, and methyl benzene were identified as the main volatile compounds in the flowering cherry using headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). These findings will enrich the research on tea aroma chemistry and offer new insights into the product development and quality improvement of LSYWT.

Identification of key off-flavor compounds during storage of fried pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.) oils by sensory-directed flavor analysis and partial least squares regression (PLSR)

Fried pepper oil (FPO) is a widely used flavoring oil in China, but it suffers from complex chemical reactions that give an unpleasant odor. The aim of this paper is to study the main causes of off-flavor in FPO, as well as identify key off-flavor compounds in FPO. Fifty-eight volatiles were identified using HS-SPME–GC–MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) during storage. Fifteen off-flavor compounds were initially targeted by odor activity values (OAVs) calculations and partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis. Eventually, five key off-flavor compounds were identified by recombination experiments and omission test, which were hexanal, (E)-2-octenal, terpinyl acetate, α-terpineol, and hexanoic acid. The off-flavors could derive from the oxidative degradation of long-chain fatty acids and the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of terpenes. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for the regulation of off-flavor in FPO and a practical guide for the industrial production of FPO.

Enhancing the Quality of Low-Alcohol Navel Orange Wine through Simultaneous Co-Fermentation Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC-125, Angel Yeast SY, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BC114.

To date, there has been limited research on the interactive effects of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the sensory qualities of navel orange wine. In this study, using Jintang navel orange juice as the raw material, multi-microbial fermentation was conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC-125 and Angel yeast SY, as well as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BC114. Single yeast and co-fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were used as the control groups. The research aimed to investigate the physicochemical parameters of navel orange wine during fermentation. Additionally, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HP-SPME-GC-MS) was employed to determine and analyze the types and levels of flavor compounds in the navel orange wines produced through the different fermentation methods. The co-fermentation using the three strains significantly enhanced both the quantity and variety of volatile compounds in the navel orange wine, concomitant with heightened total phenol and flavonoid levels. Furthermore, a notable improvement was observed in the free radical scavenging activity. A sensory evaluation was carried out to analyze the differences among the various navel orange wines, shedding light on the impact of different wine yeasts and co-fermentation with LAB on the quality of navel orange wines.

Evolution of volatile compounds of baked dried tofu during catalytic infrared baking process and their correlation with relevant physicochemical properties.

Energy-saving and low-carbon baking processes, as well as the need to determine the flavor-forming mechanisms of baked dried tofu, are becoming increasingly necessary. The application of emerging catalytic infrared radiation (CIR) technology in baking of dried tofu is considered of high interest due to the low energy consumption and high baking efficiency compared to traditional baking methods. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the evolution of aroma compounds in baked dried tofu during the CIR baking process and reveal relevant relationships between physical qualities, potential flavor precursors and key volatile compounds. The results showed that the surface color of dried tofu gradually turned an appetizing golden yellow color during the rapid heating process, caused by the uniform infrared radiation from the radiant emitters. Meanwhile, the moisture of dried tofu experienced minimal reduction and the hardness of dried tofu gradually increased with the formation of crust on the surface. In addition, 49 volatile compounds were identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 13 substances - 1-hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-pentanol, heptanal, nonanal, hexanal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, octanal, (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-nonenal, 2-heptanone and 2-pentylfuran - were confirmed as key aroma compounds. Moreover, the amino acids aspartic acid, glutamic acid, isoleucine, lysine and arginine, and the fatty acids butyric, caprylic, capric, tridecanoic, stearic, oleic and linolenic were responsible for the unique flavor of CIR-baked dried tofu. Consequently, the findings can provide a scientific basis for manufacturers to achieve precise quality control and large-scale production of CIR-baked dried tofu products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Detection of Maize Mold Based on a Nanocomposite Colorimetric Sensor Array under Different Substrates.

This study developed a novel nanocomposite colorimetric sensor array (CSA) to distinguish between fresh and moldy maize. First, the headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) method was used to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh and moldy maize samples. Then, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to identify 2-methylbutyric acid and undecane as key VOCs associated with moldy maize. Furthermore, colorimetric sensitive dyes modified with different nanoparticles were employed to enhance the dye properties used in the nanocomposite CSA analysis of key VOCs. This study focused on synthesizing four types of nanoparticles: polystyrene acrylic (PSA), porous silica nanospheres (PSNs), zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), and ZIF-8 after etching. Additionally, three types of substrates, qualitative filter paper, polyvinylidene fluoride film, and thin-layer chromatography silica gel, were comparatively used to fabricate nanocomposite CSA combining with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) models for real sample detection. All moldy maize samples were correctly identified and prepared to characterize the properties of the CSA. Through initial testing and nanoenhancement of the chosen dyes, four nanocomposite colorimetric sensitive dyes were confirmed. The accuracy rates for LDA and KNN models in this study reached 100%. This work shows great potential for grain quality control using CSA methods.

Towards an index of damage of olive paste during virgin olive oil extraction: The role of β-OH-acteoside diastereomers for risk assessment of the fusty/muddy sediment sensory defect

The aim of this study was to propose an index/marker of thermal/oxidative damage of olive paste during virgin olive oil extraction to assess the risk of sensory defects in the obtained oil. Several olive oil extraction trials were carried out over two production years applying different time, temperature, and oxygen exposure conditions during malaxation. The phenolic composition of the olive pastes was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The chemical (legal quality indexes, phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-MS, volatile compounds by Head Space-Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS)) and sensory characteristics of the obtained oils were analyzed. The content of the β-OH-acteoside diastereomers in olive paste increased linearly with malaxation time as a function of malaxation temperature and oxidative conditions, following a pseudo-zero order kinetic. At the same time, two volatile compounds linked to sensory defects (2- and 3-methylbutanal) increased in the obtained oils when increasing malaxation time and temperature, and a relationship between them and the fusty/muddy sediment defect in olive oil samples was observed. A further direct relationship between the β-OH-acteoside content in the olive pastes and the 2+3-methylbutanal content in the oils was observed. Therefore, the β-OH-acteoside diastereomers content in olive pastes has been suggested as an index/marker to indicate the risk of sensory defects in virgin olive oil as a function of the thermal and oxidative conditions during malaxation. A threshold value of 100 mg/kg of the content of β-OH-acteoside diastereomers was proposed, above which the fusty/muddy sediment defect is perceptible.

Non-targeted metabolomic analysis reveals the mechanism of quality formation of citrus flower-green tea.

Citrus flower-green tea (CT) is a scented tea processed from green tea (GT) and fresh citrus flower, which is favored by consumers due to its potential health benefits and unique citrus flavor. This study evaluated the quality of CT and revealed the mechanism of its quality formation. The CT had a significant citrus flavor and a good antioxidant activity, and its sensory quality was superior to that of GT. Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) analysis revealed that the scenting process resulted in a significant increase of alkenes such as β-pinene, trans-β-ocimene, α-farnesene, isoterpinolene, and γ-terpinene, as well as a significant decrease of alcohols such as α-terpineol, l-menthol, and linalool in CT in comparison with GT. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that the levels of flavonoids (such as neohesperidin, hesperidin, tangeritin, hesperetin 5-O-glucoside, and nobiletin) and alkaloids (such as trigonelline and theobromine) in CT increased significantly after scenting process, while the levels of amino acids (such as valine and l-phenylalanine) and organic acids (such as ascorbic acid) decreased significantly. These observations showed that the scenting process promoted the absorption of aroma from citrus flowers by GT and the changes in its non-volatile metabolites, leading to the formation of citrus flavor quality in CT. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis for monitoring the fishy odor of anchovy oil

Abstract The fishy odor of fish oil, a popular nutritional supplement, affects its quality as well as consumer acceptance and eating experience. An objective or scientific method for analyzing fish oil’s olfactory characteristics is still lacking. This study examined anchovy oil to develop qualitative and quantitative approaches for identifying fishy odor components. Multiple fish oil refining samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). Due to their significant alterations during fish oil refining, low threshold values, and distinct olfactory properties, the unsaturated aldehydes (E)-2-pentenal and (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal and the unsaturated ketone 1-penten-3-one may contribute to the fishy odor. Among the chemicals, (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal was chosen as the marker for developing a method to quantify fishy odor and analyze deodorization samples using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The quantitative study of fishy odor in fish oil is a pioneering approach that can help improve quality assurance and refining process.

Identification of Volatile Markers in Sweat for COVID‐19 Screening by Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry

AbstractDue to an outbreak of coronavirus spreading in recent years, there is an urgent need for effective, rapid, and non‐invasive diagnostics to detect and differentiate among patients who are infected and uninfected with SARS‐CoV‐2 for controlling the virus propagation. This study developed an alternative method for COVID‐19 screening from volatile analysis of metabolites mainly studied in sweat samples obtained from the populations in Bangkok, Thailand, during December 2020 to April 2022. A total of 140 collected samples; 70 positive confirmed COVID‐19 cases and another 70 negatives confirmed COVID‐19 cases were applied to be separated, detected, and identified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)/odor occurring from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection body by the technique of Headspace solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS) together with principle component analysis (PCA), which allowed potential volatile markers of COVID‐19 such as pentadecane, nonanal, styrene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (up to 94 % accuracy, 93 % sensitivity, 96 % selectivity, and 94 % specificity), respectively, along with limit of detection in a range of 0.26–125 μg. The result was validated by comparison with the RT‐PCR results.