Impact of processing on important cocoa off-flavour compounds

The compounds responsible for smoky and mouldy–musty off-flavours in fermented cocoa have recently been elucidated; however, their behaviour during further processing into chocolate was still unclear. The compounds 2-methoxyphenol, 3-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, 3-ethylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, and 3-propylphenol known to contribute to smoky off-flavours showed a tendency towards a minor increase during roasting and processing into cocoa liquor. This increase amounted to 1.4-fold at the most, however, was clearly compensated by losses of 30–63% during further processing into chocolate mass and conching. Among the off-flavour compounds identified in mouldy–musty smelling cocoa, faecal, mothball-like 3-methyl-1H-indole showed a clear decrease during roasting and processing into cocoa liquor, at least at rather high roasting temperatures, and a further decrease during processing into chocolate mass and conching. In contrast, faecal, mothball-like 1H-indole substantially increased during roasting and processing into cocoa liquor, namely from concentrations below its odour threshold value to concentrations up to 8 times beyond its odour threshold value. During processing into chocolate mass and conching, 1H-indole remained virtually unchanged. The data suggested that the monitoring of off-flavour compounds at the incoming goods inspection in the chocolate industry should not be limited to the fermented beans as such but additionally include the analysis of a bean sample after test roasting to correctly assess the off-flavour potential of 3-methyl-1H-indole and 1H-indole.

Analysis of Aroma Compounds in Tofu from Lembang, Sumedang and Garut West Java, Indonesia

Tofu from Lembang, Tofu from Sumedang and Tofu from Garut are three types tofu that are produced in different places, but still close. Although made from the same raw material that is soy, every tofu will produce a different tofu, both in terms of taste, aroma, texture and suppleness. Differences in the type of flavour compouds used can also be a factor causing divergence of any tofu product. The characteristic of the tofu were determined by identifying the flavour compouds GC-MS, as well as organoleptic tests. To determine differences in compound-producing falvour in the tofu. The results extraction method was carried out on tofu samples using n-pentane as solvent then analyzed using GC-MS. Flavour compounds of all three types of tofu included into the ester group, alkenes and aldehydes. Organoleptic tests show that the panelists prefered. Tofu from Sumedang for test of colour appearance (82%), for the test texture panelists like Tofu from Garut (83%), for test of elasticity panelists prefered Tofu from Garut Lembang (75%), for taste test panelists prefered Tofu from Lembang (88%), panelists prefered Tofu from Lembang for flavour test (82%).

Production of Food Flavouring Agents by Enzymatic Reaction and Microbial Fermentation

Rising trends in the consumptions of food flavour compounds lead to motivation in the production of food flavours. The conventional techniques of flavour production are insufficient to produce flavour compounds according to the ascending demands of the market in terms of quantities and varieties. The current flavour production methods utilize chemical synthesis, which can produce a greater numbers of flavours with less time. However, the demand for natural products in consumables have created a necessity for new methodologies to produce flavour compounds with the label of “natural” origin. Emerging techniques in biotechnologies have enabled industries to produce compounds that can be considered natural. This review provides insights into the classification of flavour compounds and their production using microorganisms and enzymes in an ecofriendlier manner. The compounds produced by these techniques can be labelled as “natural” and can increase the market size of food flavours.

'Menthol-Plus’: a major category of cigarette found among ‘concept’ descriptor cigarettes from Mexico

BackgroundTobacco companies are offering cigarettes with ‘concept’ descriptor names that suggest sensation and/or flavour properties (eg, Marlboro ‘Velvet Fusion’). Little has been known about the identities and levels of flavour chemicals in such cigarettes.MethodsThirty-three filter cigarette variants from 27 packs (including two sampler packs with four variations each) from Canada and Mexico were analysed (rod + filter) for 177 flavour chemicals plus triacetin, a filter plasticiser and possible flavourant. Five brands of US mentholated filter cigarettes were also analysed.ResultsTwenty-seven of the 33 cigarettes (all were Mexican variants) were categorised as ‘menthol-plus’: significant menthol (3.0–11.9 mg/cigarette), plus varying amounts (0.32–3.4 mg/cigarette) of total other flavour chemicals (TOFCs) (excludes triacetin). For 10 of the 27, TOFCs >1.0 mg/cigarette. For 7 of the 27, the TOFCs profile was categorised as containing total fruit flavour compounds (TFFCs) >1.0 mg/cigarette. One Mexican variant was categorised as ‘menthol-only’ (TOFCs ≤0.15 mg/cigarette). All menthol-plus and menthol-only cigarettes contained one or two optional-crush capsules in their filters (crushed prior to analysis). All five Canadian brand variants were ‘non-flavoured’. All five US brand variants were ‘menthol-only’.ConclusionsAll but one of the ‘concept’ descriptor cigarettes from Mexico were ‘menthol-plus’. While the Canadian cigarettes complied with Canada’s flavour chemical ban, concept descriptors on the packs may increase appeal. Given the scale of the problem posed by menthol alone, health officials seeking to decrease the appeal of smoked tobacco should examine the extent to which ‘concept descriptor’ cigarettes using ‘menthol-plus’ flavour profiling together with artful descriptors are furthering the problem of smoked tobacco.