The effects of temperature,concentration and exposure time to acetylene on initiation of banana ripening

The initiation of ripening of bananas by acetylene was studied with various concentrations and times of exposure at a range of temperatures. Ripening was associated with loss in firmness of the pulp, change in peel colour, and increases in total soluble solids content of the pulp. An interaction between the pulp temperature of bananas and their response to acetylene was demonstrated over a temperature range of 14 to 35°C in that the higher the temperature the shorter the exposure time, or the lower the concentration required. The period of exposure to acetylene was also shown to affect initiation of fruit ripening, with longer exposures up to 24 h requiring less gas or a lower temperature to initiate ripening. Fruit exposed to acetylene gas at the lower temperatures (14 to 16°C) were shown to ripen normally with respect to pulp soluble solids and pulp rupture force, although the co-ordination of the degreening response was lost in some fruit exposed to acetylene for 72 h. The temperature at which bananas were initiated to ripen did not affect their flavour.     

Changes in volatile compounds of a native Chinese chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens var) during ripening

The objective of this study was to identify the volatile components of a native Chinese chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens var) at different ripening stages. The peppers at green, breaking and red colour stages were first investigated by simultaneous distillation extraction combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to visualise the grouping tendencies of the studied stages of pepper. Eighty‐five volatile organic components were identified and quantified in this study. Forty compounds were found at the green stage, fifty‐three at the breaking stage and sixty‐five at the red colour stage. The flavour activity compounds were discovered in Chinese pepper. Qualitative and quantitative discrepancies were observed in different ripening stages. The amount of alkenes and aldehydes increased from 2.762% and 0.120% in green stage to 11.137% and 14.485% in colours’ stage. The content of Alcohols decreased from 30.169% to 23.698%. Only, the aromatic compound disappears during maturity. Ketones enhanced from 0.983% to 2.693%. Esters were always reducing.     

粉蕉后熟过程中香气品质变化及其关键基因表达特性

为深入了解粉蕉（Musa ABB Pisang Awak）采后品质变化特征,本实验研究了粉蕉（‘广粉一号’）采后常温（25?℃）贮藏过程中果实生理品质、不同成熟阶段果实香气物质变化及香气合成相关基因的表达特性。结果表明：粉蕉果实在采后2?d内硬度急剧下降,果实可溶性固形物质量分数以及可溶性糖含量都显著增加;果实在第6天完熟,第8天已经过熟,此阶段硬度降到很低,同时可溶性糖、总香气物质含量达到最高值,而可溶性固形物质量分数、氨基酸含量在第6天最高。未成熟粉蕉果实的挥发性物质种类及其含量较少,主要以C6～C9的醛类和醇类为主,而酯类极其微量;当果实完熟时挥发性物质含量明显增加,酯类含量明显上升,包括异丁酸异戊酯、乙酸己酯、乙酸异戊酯等,形成粉蕉特有的香气特征。对果实香气合成相关关键基因表达分析发现,脂氧合酶、醇酰基转移酶、醇脱氢酶、支链氨基酸转移酶和氢过氧化物裂解酶基因的表达随着果实成熟软化而增强,果实完熟后又迅速下降;丙酮酸脱羧酶基因的表达量在贮藏前期和后期较高,而在果实成熟的中期表达量很低,与果实在未熟期与过熟期醛类与醇类含量密切相关。本实验初步揭示粉蕉主要挥发性物质在成熟过程中的变化规律及其与相关生理活动的关系,为粉蕉采后的品质保持和保鲜技术提供了理论依据。     

Prediction of Sensory Profile of Mango Using Textural Attributes During Ripening

Mango is an important commercial fruit and is marketed based on their colour, firmness and taste. These sensory parameters vary with individual mango and person involved in testing. There is little or no information available on the instrumental estimation of these sensory attributes. The present study, therefore, was conducted to correlate sensory and instrumental textural attributes to explore the possibility of predicting them for seven major cultivars of mango influenced by harvesting dates and ripening period (10 days). In general, the textural property of peel, pulp and fruit decreased while sensory attributes increased during fruit ripening. Sensory qualities like taste, flavour and overall acceptability were significantly affected by harvesting date, cultivar and ripening period. Harvesting time and cultivars, however, did not influence the fruit appearance. Among textural attributes, peel firmness was closely associated with all the sensory parameters indicating that textural parameters could be useful to predict sensory profile of mango cultivars during their ripening. Cultivar-specific variations were observed while evaluating various equations (linear/polynomial/exponential/logarithmic/power) for correlating their textural and sensory attributes. Polynomial equation was found to be the best fit (highest coefficient of determination, R ²) for prediction of sensory quality using textural properties of majority of mango cultivars. All cultivars under study except Alphonso collected from Maharashtra showed R ² value above 0.911 which indicated potentiality of the fitted equations for the prediction of sensory attributes using textural characteristics of mango.     

Consumer perceptions of bananas treated with ethylene or allowed to ripen naturally

Consumers evaluated the eating quality and appearance of commercially available (ethylene treated) bananas and bananas which were allowed to ripen naturally (without ethylene). Quantitative measures of sweetness, liking when eaten, ripe taste, softness, flesh yellowness, liking of skin colour and skin yellowness were collected for bananas at three different stages of ripeness as judged by skin colour. Whole and peeled bananas were provided separately. Multivariate analysis of the combined data revealed that consumers discriminate between fruit using liking of skin colour and softness. Consumers like the taste of ripe fruit, but like the appearance of unripe fruit. Consumers were also able to detect that at a certain stage of skin colour ripeness, ethylene treatment results in bananas with flesh ripeness out of phase with skin colour ripeness.     

Meat quality, fatty acid composition and flavour analysis in Belgian retail beef

The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in biochemical, sensorial and quality characteristics of retail beef in Belgium. Four types of beef (Belgian Blue double-muscled, Limousin, Irish and Argentine) and two different muscles (longissimus lumborum and semimembranosus) were bought at the retail level and compared with regard to colour, shear force, collagen content, fatty acid analysis, taste panel evaluation as well as flavour analysis. Belgian Blue and Limousin beef had a paler colour, lower collagen and intramuscular fat contents. Fatty acid profiles were significantly different between the four types, with significantly higher PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios for Belgiam Blue and Limousin beef compared to Argentine and Irish beef. There were significant differences between the meat types for taste panel tenderness and shear force, however both measurements did not fully correspond. Flavour analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as well as sensory analysis demonstrated that Irish and Argentine beef had a higher flavour intensity related to higher contents of volatile compounds. Differences in tenderness and flavour between the meat types were probably affected by differences in ageing time, related to import vs local production of meat.     

Changes in selected quality characteristics of minimally processed carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) when treated with ascorbic acid

‘B 10’ carambola of ripening stage (RS) 3 and 4 were minimally processed (MP) and then dipped in 0, 15 and 30 mg L^?1 ascorbic acid (AA). The 1‐cm‐thick slices were then dried, packed into cling‐wrapped‐foam tray and stored at 7 °C for 0, 3 and 5 days. Skin colour (L*, C* and h°), flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, vitamin C content, titratable acidity, pH, degree of browning, polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and sensory attributes of MP carambola treated with AA were determined. AA treatment had significant effect in decreasing cut surface browning degree but no significant effect on all the selected quality characteristics of the MP carambola. In the sensory evaluation, flesh colour, sweetness, flavour and overall taste were significantly affected by AA treatment especially at 15 mg L^?1. The RS of fruit significantly affected skin colour (C* and h°), pH and sensory attributes of colour and flavour of the MP carambola. As storage day (SD) progressed, skin colour (C* and h°), flesh firmness and vitamin C content, cut surface browning, PPO activity and all the sensory attributes of MP carambola decreased significantly. Flesh firmness of the MP carambola was affected by the interaction between AA × SD. Sensory attributes of MP carambola were affected significantly by AA × RS. All the sensory attributes of MP carambola positively correlated to each other but negatively correlated with browning degree. PPO activity positively correlated with browning degree. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

品种和后成熟对NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的影响

为了探讨果实品种和后成熟度对苹果浊汁风味的影响,采用顶空-固相微萃取结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术,基于多元数据分析手段,非靶向分析了富士、嘎啦、华硕、金冠、澳洲青苹等5个品种,在3个后熟度下制成的NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分差异。结果表明:醇类（2-甲基-1-丁醇、1-己醇等）、醛类（己醛、（E）-2-己烯醛等）和酯类（2-甲基乙酸丁酯等）为苹果浊汁的主要挥发性香气成分。品种和后熟度对苹果汁的特征性挥发性香气成分的含量和组成影响显著。澳洲青苹果汁挥发性香气成分总量少且含量低,醛类是其主要的挥发性香气物质;富士、嘎啦和金冠果汁则表现出相似的香气组分特征,酯类、醛类和醇类物质含量丰富,具有浓郁的香甜水果气味和青草味;华硕苹果汁的挥发性香气成分以醇类和醛类为主,整体具有清淡的香味和生青味。另外,随着不断后熟,不同品种苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的变化呈现不同趋势。澳洲青苹和富士苹果汁中的香气成分逐渐累积,分别有15和28种挥发性化合物含量显著增加;嘎啦和金冠苹果汁香气物质含量呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在第二个后熟阶段风味最好;用采摘初期华硕苹果原料制成的苹果汁香气最浓郁,但随着不断后熟,挥发性香气含量显著降低。本研究开展的苹果汁风味特性研究,可为苹果浊汁加工的原料选择提供理论基础。     

Free fatty acid composition of regionally-produced Spanish goat cheese and relationship with sensory characteristics

A study was made of free fatty acid composition and sensory characteristics (odour and taste) in regionally-produced Spanish goat cheeses. The most abundant FFAs were oleic, palmitic, stearic, capric and myristic acid which together accounted for roughly 85% of total FFAs. These cheeses generally underwent a lower degree of lipolysis than did other goat cheeses. Panellists judged the cheeses as having considerable odour and flavour intensity. However, both total FFA content and sensory attributes varied considerably among cheeses due, in all likelihood, to differences in ripening time and to production by different manufacturers. Principal component analysis generated three principal components (PC) that accounted for 70% of total variance; the variables that best correlated with them were long-chain and medium-chain free fatty acids (PC1), brine odour, bitterness and goat milk odour (PC2) and short-chain free fatty acids (PC3).     

Contribution of sulfur-containing compounds to the colour-inhibiting effect and improved antioxidant activity of Maillard reaction products of soybean protein hydrolysates

BACKGROUND: Light‐coloured and savoury‐tasting flavour enhancers are attractive to both consumers and food producers. The aim of this study was to investigate the colour‐inhibiting effect of L ‐cysteine and thiamine during the Maillard reaction of soybean peptide and D ‐xylose. The correlation between volatile compounds and antioxidant activity of the corresponding products was also studied. RESULTS: Colour formation was markedly suppressed by cysteine. Compared with peptide/xylose (PX), the taste profile of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from peptide/xylose/cysteine (PXC) and peptide/xylose/cysteine/thiamine (PXCT) was stronger, including umami, mouthfulness, continuity, meaty and overall acceptance. PXC and PXCT also exihibited distinctly higher antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis was applied to investigate the correlation between antioxidant activity and volatile compounds. Of 88 volatile compounds identified, 55 were significantly correlated with antioxidant activity by two principal components (accounting for 85.05% of the total variance). CONCLUSION: Effective colour control of the Maillard reaction by L ‐cysteine may allow the production of healthier (higher antioxidant activity) and tastier foods to satisfy consumers' and food producers' demands. Light‐coloured products might be used as functional flavour enhancers in various food systems. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Old and endangered tomato cultivars under organic greenhouse production: effect of harvest time on flavour profile and consumer acceptance

The influence of two different harvest times (optimal and 4 days earlier) on thirty flavour compounds, titratable acid and sugars as well as consumer acceptance of four old and endangered tomato cultivars (‘Ananas’, ‘Auriga’, ‘Green Zebra’ and ‘Lukullus’) was analysed. In most cases, cultivar type had a greater effect on the volatiles profile than harvest times. Sugar contents were mostly higher at optimal harvest compared with early harvest, whereas acid content was in most cases not affected by harvest time. Consumers perceived differences in several visual and sensory aspects between cultivars as well as harvest times. The optimal harvest was regularly preferred to or at least regarded as equal to the early‐harvest time. Sensory evaluation was poorly related to the aroma volatile profile and only partly to the acid and reducing sugar contents of tomatoes. This was probably owing to the special external characteristics of the tomatoes: differing in size, shape and colour from the ‘normal’ red types.     

Effect of high pressure treatment on colour, microbial and chemical characteristics of dry cured loin

The effect of high pressure on sliced and vacuum packaged commercial dry-cured pork loin was determined by analysing the induced colour changes, the residual enzymatic activities of cathepsins, aminopeptidases and dipeptidilpeptidases and the changes in the content of free amino acids and also its effect on lipid oxidation, as TBARS (Thiobarbituric reactives substances) and volatile flavour compounds. High pressure treatments above 300 MPa affected the colour of dry cured pork loins producing an increase in lightness and decreased redness and these differences were detected during all vacuum storage. High pressure produced a reduction in the activity of aminopeptidases and dipeptidylpeptidases. The untreated samples showed an increase in free amino acid content during vacuum storage while the pressurised samples showed no significant increases probably due to the reduction in aminopeptidase activity. The oxidative stability of the pressurised dry-cured loins was not affected as observed by the absence of differences in TBARS values and in the abundance of volatile compounds from the lipid oxidation. However, the pressurised treatment produced a reduction of several flavour compounds, particularly those derived from Maillard reactions, although they are regenerated during vacuum storage. In summary, high pressure treatment after the ripening of dry-cured loin affects its quality but the differences can be minimised by vacuum storage.     

Colour and textural attributes of sucuk during ripening

The sensory (flavour, colour, and ease of cutting scores), colour (Hunter L, a, b, YI, total colour difference, hue angle, chroma, and browning index values) and textural (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience) attributes of sucuk were followed during the ripening period. Colour scores increased (P<0.05) from score 4 to 6 during the first 3 days of the ripening period and then decreased (P<0.05). The lightness (L values), yellowness (b), and hue angle of sucuk decreased (P<0.05) during the ripening period. The major colour changes occurred between the 5th and 9th days of the ripening period. Pearson correlation test indicates that a positive relationship (P<0.01) exists between a-values and sensory colour scores. The overall sensory scores changed (P<0.05) in parallel to the flavour scores. Hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of sucuk increased (P<0.05) during the ripening period. Strong relationships (P<0.01) were found between hardness and cutting scores. Adhesiveness values of sucuk decreased significantly (P<0.05) about 10 times from -9.3 to -92.6 during the ripening period. Springiness and cohesiveness values decreased during the ripening period, but not significantly (P>0.05). Cutting scores were related (P<0.01) to gumminess (0.921) and chewiness (0.922) values but not to resilience (P>0.05). It was observed that most instrumental colour and textural attributes were in agreement with sensory attributes. These results indicated that instrumental methods could be easily adapted and can be used for evaluation of quality attributes of sucuk during the ripening period.     

Effects of variety and stage of fruit ripeness on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of deep‐fat‐fried banana chips

The quality of banana chips prepared from two different varieties of banana, Pisang Abu and Pisang Nangka, at the ‘green’ and ‘trace of yellow’ stages of ripeness was studied. The fruits were peeled, sliced to a thickness of 2 mm and deep‐fat fried in refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) palm olein at 180 ± 5 °C for 3 min. The quality parameters determined for fresh bananas were total soluble solids, pH, acidity, carbohydrate, sugar content, fat, protein, moisture content, ash, fibre, colour and fruit firmness. The results showed that Abu had a higher carbohydrate content than Nangka at both stages of ripeness before frying. No sucrose was detected in Nangka. The quality parameters determined after deep‐fat frying were moisture content, water activity, oil absorption, crispness and sensory evaluation. The moisture content and water activity of Abu chips were lower than those of Nangka chips. The texture of chips prepared from Abu at stage ‘green’ showed more crispness than the other three samples. Sensory evaluation showed that chips prepared from Abu at both stages of ripeness presented better colour, flavour, odour, texture and overall acceptability than those prepared from Nangka. Based on the matrix of correlation coefficients, fresh bananas with higher fruit firmness and carbohydrate content gave banana chips with higher crispness and oil absorption. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Formation of 4-vinyl and 4-ethyl derivatives from hydroxycinnamic acids: Occurrence of volatile phenolic flavour compounds in beer and distribution of Pad1-activity among brewing yeasts

This work represents a survey of the occurrence of hydroxycinnamic acids and volatile phenols in a variety of beer styles. The contribution of 4-vinylguaiacol to the overall flavour perception of top-fermented specialty beers was shown. Significant differences in hydroxycinnamic acids (both free and ester-bound) and volatile phenol content between different beers were observed. The variability in volatile phenol content between different beers and beer styles can be explained by the high incidence of Pad1⁺ phenotype and the variability of Pad1 activity observed among top-fermenting brewing yeast strains. The relative importance of thermal versus enzymatic decarboxylation can account for the differences found between bottom and top-fermented beers. Concerning the optimisation of volatile phenol levels in beer, the selection of a suitable brewing yeast strain is the most important means of creating a phenolic taste profile in beer. Given that a considerable amount of hydroxycinnamic acids in beer still occurs in ester-bound form, enhancing the enzymatic release of these phenolic flavour precursors during mashing can greatly enhance the phenolic aroma potential of wort.     

Chemical and microbiological parameters and sensory attributes of a typical Sicilian salami ripened in different conditions

A study was carried out on a typical Sicilian salami prepared from meat of the local Nero Siciliano pig in order to characterize this typical product. One formulation of salami was divided in two batches and ripened in two different environments, a traditional sicilian room (TR) and a controlled industrial ripening room (RR). Microbiological and physico-chemical analysis were performed on raw mixture and after 7 and 90 days of ripening. Sensory analysis was carried out on salami at the end of ripening, and flavour compounds were extracted by simultaneous distillation–extraction and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Commercial salami prepared from meat from white pig were purchased locally and used as comparative samples. The experimental salami at the end of ripening was characterized by a high level of fat and low level of moisture. Fatty acid analysis showed that experimental salami contained a higher percentage of oleic acid, vaccenic acid and palmitic acid and a lower percentage of stearic acid and linoleic acid, when compared to commercial salami (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in fatty acid composition of the experimental salami between the two types of ripening. Instrumental analysis of flavour volatile compounds in the experimental salami demonstrated that traditionally ripened salami contained the most volatiles, especially aldehydes (8217 vs. 3104 ng g⁻¹, P<0.05). Sensory analysis showed no significant differences as a consequence of different ripening conditions for firmness, saltiness, acidity, cohesiveness and elasticity. In contrast, there were significant differences for hardness and rancidity, which were higher in TR salami compared with RR and commercial salami. Lactic acid bacteria and Micrococcaceae counts were higher in controlled ripened salami although the hygienic quality of both products was satisfactory. The use of a controlled room for the ripening of this typical salami seems to be a potential technological improvement to maintain an all year around production of this salami, that otherwise cannot be produced in the summer period due to the higher environmental temperatures. However, the non traditionally ripened product showed some chemical differences that were not evidenced by sensory analysis.     

番茄（Solanum lycopersicum）果皮和果肉挥发物及香气比较

为探究番茄果皮和果肉挥发物以及香气的差异，以挥发物浓度高的自交系CI1005（红色樱桃番茄）和浓度低的自交系TI4001（绿色普通大果番茄）为材料，采用顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱-嗅闻法分析番茄绿熟期、转色期、橙熟期和红熟期果皮和果肉挥发物组分及其浓度，描述气味特征及其强度。结果表明，果实成熟过程中，同一自交系果皮和果肉挥发物组分差异较小。每个成熟阶段，CI1005果皮挥发物浓度均显著高于果肉，尤其是醛类、醇类、酮类、酯类和酸类挥发物；TI4001果肉挥发物浓度均显著高于果皮，特别是醛类、酯类和酸类挥发物。CI1005果皮香气强度显著高于果肉，尤其是清香、脂香和麦芽香；果肉仅甜感强于果皮。果皮清香最浓，果肉果香最浓。果实成熟过程中，果皮香气比果肉增加得多，红熟期差异最大。TI4001果肉香气强度显著高于果皮，特别是脂香、蘑菇香和清香。果肉脂香最浓，果皮花香最浓。转色期果皮和果肉香气均最浓，二者香气差异最大。CI1005挥发物组分和浓度及其香气强度均显著高于TI4001。总之，果皮和果肉中挥发物和香气差异显著。     

Physico‐chemical and sensory attributes in conjunction with multivariate analysis of two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars after 90 days of storage: an exploratory authentication study

Two cultivars of potato (Spunta and Agria), were studied in terms of their physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics. These cultivars were cultivated in three geographical regions of Greece (Macedonia, North Greece; Thessaly, Central Greece; Peloponnese, South Greece) and were stored for 90 days after harvesting. The physico‐chemical characteristics of the tubers determined, were pH, total acidity, firmness, dry matter and content in Ν, in Κ, P, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe. The sensory characteristics measured for raw tubers of potato after storage, were skin colour, skin brightness, internal colour, surface roughness, odour intensity, moistness, surface wrinkling and stains while the sensory characteristics measured for the boiled tubers of potato were odour intensity, moistness, special taste, sweet taste, aftertaste persistence, metal taste, pastiness, mastication, flavour intensity, elasticity and overall acceptability. The application of multivariate analysis (principal component analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis), revealed a variety of relations between the various parameters and resulted in satisfactory grouping either per geographical region or per cultivar.     

Quality of comminuted sausages formulated from mechanically deboned poultry meat

Comminuted sausages formulated with mechanically deboned poultry meat-MDPM (turkey or chicken, frame or neck) treated in different ways before production (vacuum packed MDPM or air packed skeletons deboned at production) and stored frozen for 6 or 18 weeks have been studied using a full-factorial design and chemical, physical and sensory analysis. MDPM was obtained from a Beehive separator. Comminuted sausages with MDPM from turkey frames, stored at -25?°C as skeletons, packed in air for 18 weeks developed marked rancid odour and flavour which could also be detected by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the concentration of volatile compounds. Vacuum packed mechanically deboned meat irrespective of species and carcass part could be stored for up to 18 weeks and used in formulation of sausages without any serious changes in their sensory profiles. Instrumental colour differences between sausages were mainly due to species. Turkey sausages were darker, redder and less yellow than chicken sausages. Moisture and fat contents were influenced by carcass part and to a lesser extent depended on species and storage time. Principal least squares regression (PLS2) showed close relationships between instrumental parameters and sensory attributes. TBARS, hexanal and volatile compounds were highly correlated with rancid flavour while redness (a(?)) was strongly related to sensory colour hue and colour strength.