ABSTRACT
The multicomponent mixtures consisting of herbs and fungi are commonly used for the production of alcoholic beverages with potential health-promoting effects in many Asian countries. The medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum is one of the most important fungi used for spirit production. Although this fungus affects the aromatic complexity of spirits, only a small number of studies have focused on investigating the influence of G. lucidum on the aromatic profile and colour of spirits. The aim of the research is to evaluate the influence of adding G. lucidum and herbal extract on final concentrations of volatile compounds and sensory quality of several distillates. In this study, distillates (grain, plum, grape and wine) were used to produce new spirit-based beverages with the fungus G. lucidum only, or with the fungus and herbal extract. Fifty-nine aroma compounds were identified by GC-MS. The aromatic profiles were strongly influenced by the primary aromas of the distillates, but the addition of G. lucidum and herbal extract enriched the volatile fraction of distillates with a range of ethyl esters, with a fruity and floral fragrance. Higher alcohols, 1-propanol, 2-isobutanol and isoamyl alcohol, were the most abundant volatile compounds in the analyzed distillates and spirits. The lightness of distillates was from 60.7 to 63.6, and with the addition of Ganoderma it significantly decreased to the range from 43.6 to 50.5. The addition of the fungus also increased the intensity of red and yellow colours. The Ganoderma spirits scored very highly in sensory evaluation (17.6-18.3), significantly better than the spirits without any additions (16.1-16.9).
ABSTRACT
Physicochemical, sensory, and health-related characteristics of peach wine produced from Redhaven variety and selected white wines produced from various grape varieties were determined and compared. The alcohol content, titratable acidity, and total extract of peach wine was significantly lower compared with that of white wines, while its pH value was higher. The content of total phenolics (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) of peach wine (402.53 mg/L GAE and 332.67 mg CAE/L, respectively) have been found significantly higher in comparison with that of white wines (TPC range 243.67-319.00 mg/L GAE, TFC range 129.67-175.17 mg CAE/L). The main phenolic compounds found in peach wine were chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and catechin (3.59, 0.87, and 0.60 mg/L, respectively). Antioxidant capacities were strongly correlated with total phenolics with correlation coefficients over 0.99. The highest antioxidant capacity was ascribed to peach wine. The results of sensory analysis indicated that the peach wine was very well accepted by the regular consumers of wine and can be a very interesting product in the market.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/analysis , Prunus/chemistry , Taste , Vitis/chemistry , Wine/analysis , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prunus/classification , Young AdultABSTRACT
Total antioxidant (AO) activity of strong alcohol beverages such as wine and plum brandies, whiskeys, herbal and sweet fruit liqueurs have been assessed using a polarographic assay based on hydrogen peroxide scavenging (HPS). Rank of order of total AO activity, expressed as percentage of decrease of anodic oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide, was found analogous with total phenolic content estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau (FC) assay and radical scavenging capacity against the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Application of the assay for surveying of a quarter century long maturation of plum brandy in oak barrel was demonstrated. In addition, influence of different storage conditions on preservation of AO activity of some herbal liqueurs was surveyed. Wide area of application of this simple, fast, low cost and reliable assay in analysis and quality monitoring of various strong alcohol beverages was confirmed.
