Identification of Odor-Active Trace Compounds in Blooming Flower of Damask Rose ( Rosa damascena).

The flower scent of the damask rose ( Rosa damascena) was studied. Two ultratrace components exhibiting high flavor dilution factors were detected as odor-active compounds via aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). One of these had a woody note and was identified as rotundone using multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (MD-GC-MS-O), while the other had a citrus note and was identified as 4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-2(5 H)-furanone (MPF) by fractionation of a commercial rose absolute from R. damascena. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the organoleptic importance of these two compounds in the rose scent. Sensory analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of rotundone and MPF. Adding 50 µg/kg rotundone and 5 µg/kg MPF to the aroma reconstitute of R. damascena provided it with blooming and natural characteristics. Additionally, the existence of rotundone and MPF in five types of fragrant roses was investigated.

Identification and Characterization of 3-epi-Rotundone, a Novel Stereoisomer of Rotundone, in Several Kinds of Fruits.

A novel stereoisomer of rotundone, 3-epi-rotundone, was identified in the aroma of grapefruit, orange, apple, and mango. 3-epi-Rotundone was prepared by the isomerization of rotundone, and its structural elucidation was confirmed by comparing the 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy spectra with those of rotundone. The odor thresholds of rotundone and 3-epi-rotundone in water were determined by a triangle test as 5 and 19100 ng/kg, respectively. The odor of 3-epi-rotundone was evaluated as woody, spicy, peppery, citrus, grapefruit-like, powdery, and celery-like, which was a greater range of odor characteristics than that for rotundone. Results of odor evaluation of 3-epi-rotundone revealed that its unique organoleptic properties, which were odor description (woody, spicy, and peppery), anosmic properties in neat form, and strong adaptation, were similar to those of rotundone. 3-epi-Rotundone might be a valuable substance to apply new types of woody, peppery, and spicy notes.

Factors influencing the formation of medicinal off-flavor from ascorbic acid and α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes.

In a previous study, the formation and formation pathway of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol as an off-flavor compound formed from ascorbic acid and (E)-hex-2-enal in a test apple beverage were investigated. In the present study, elucidating the pH, temperature, and (E)-hex-2-enal and ascorbic acid concentrations that lead to the generation of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol in various model solutions was performed. The quantities of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol generated in model solutions increased when the initial concentrations of (E)-hex-2-enal and ascorbic acid increased, and linear correlations between the quantities and concentrations were observed. The quantity of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol steadily rose in step with pH from pH 2.24, peaked at pH 3.73, and steadily decreased in step with pH to pH 4.24. The quantity of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol increased sharply as the storage temperature rose. Meanwhile, no 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol was produced when short-duration heating processes such as heat sterilization were applied. These results will allow to us prevent the occurrence of off-flavor by regulating the initial pH, storage temperature, and (E)-hex-2-enal and ascorbic acid concentrations. Reactions with ascorbic acid and other α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes were also investigated, and it was confirmed that corresponding 6-alkylbenzofuran-7-ols were formed.

Elucidating the formation pathway of the off-flavor compound 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol.

In a previous work, we identified 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol as an off-flavor compound formed from ascorbic acid and (E)-hex-2-enal in a test apple beverage. In this study, we elucidate the pathway by which 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol formed. Isotope labeling studies revealed that the propyl group of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol derives from (E)-hex-2-enal and that 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol contains carbons 2-6 of ascorbic acid. Two compounds, namely, 2,3-dihydro-6-propylbenzofuran-3,7-diol and 3-(2-furoyl)hexanal, were identified as byproducts of a model reaction of ascorbic acid and (E)-hex-2-enal. Each of these compounds was dissolved in an aqueous solution of citric acid and stored at 60 °C for 1 week. After storage, 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol was detected from a solution of 2,3-dihydro-6-propylbenzofuran-3,7-diol, but not from 3-(2-furoyl)hexanal. 6-Propylbenzofuran-7-ol was formed by isolating tricyclic hemiacetal lactone derived from the Michael addition of ascorbic acid to (E)-hex-2-enal, mixing the tricyclic hemiacetal lactone with the aqueous solution of citric acid, and applying heat. This confirmed that 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol was formed via the Michael adduct.

Identification of the medicinal off-flavor compound formed from ascorbic acid and (E)-hex-2-enal.

A test apple beverage made up of apple juice (20%), high-fructose corn syrup (11.5%), citric acid (0.43%), trisodium citrate (0.02%), apple-odor flavor (0.1%), and ascorbic acid (0.02%) was stored at 40 °C and then analyzed for the change of odor in the beverage. Although no thermoacidophilic bacteria (TAB) were detected, a medicinal off-flavor was perceived after the 8 weeks of storage. Model experiments on the ingredients of the test apple beverage revealed that the off-flavor compound had been formed by ascorbic acid and (E)-hex-2-enal. Synthesis and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, HMQC, and HMBC) analyses identified the compound as 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol. The odor quality, retention index (RI), and mass spectrum of synthetic 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol were identical with those of the medicinal odor compound from the test apple beverage. Sensory evaluation revealed the recognition thresholds for medicinal odor were 31.4 ppb in water and 24.0 ppb in apple beverage, and the detection thresholds were 19.6 ppb in water and 8.6 ppb in apple beverage, respectively. The quantified concentration of 6-propylbenzofuran-7-ol formed in test apple beverage was 90 ppb, approximately. This concentration was well above the odor threshold, so it was concluded that the compound was the source of the medicinal off-flavor.

Biotransformation of alpha-isomethylionone to 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one.

The main biodegradation product of (+/-)-alpha-isomethylionone (2) with standard activated sludge was characterized as (+/-)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one (1) by its analysis and synthesis. Both enantiomers (1a and 1b) of 1 were synthesized by starting from (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (3a and 3b), respectively.

Studies on the volatile compounds of roasted spotted shrimp.

The aroma of spotted shrimp (Sergia lucence Hansen) was analyzed upon roasting to determine the components that constitute the characteristic roasted shrimp flavor. Our analyses resulted in the identification of ca. 200 volatiles, including high-impact sulfur and nitrogen compounds. In addition, we synthesized all possible stereoisomers of the pyrrolidine derivatives 1 and 4, and of the imine derivatives 16 and 18-20, which are very characteristic for the aroma. The odor evaluation of these chemicals revealed distinct differences, each possessing different aroma characteristics.