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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159480
Title: EFFECT OF CERTAIN VOLATILES, ADDED TO BLAND TOMATO PUREE, ON PERCEPTION OF AROMA, TASTE AND AFTER-TASTE DESCRIPTORS

Author
item Baldwin, Elizabeth - Liz
item Plotto, Anne
item Goodner, Kevin
item PRICHETT, KAREN - SYNGENTA SEEDS INC.
item EINSTEIN, M - SENSTEK INC.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/28/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Citation: Baldwin, E.A., Plotto, A., Goodner, K.L., Prichett, K., Einstein, M. 2004. Effect of certain volatiles, added to bland tomato puree, on perception of aroma, taste and after-taste descriptors. International Postharvest Meeting. Paper No. 584.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The contribution of volatiles to tomato flavor is little understood. Coarse chop deodorized tomato puree was spiked with one to three levels of individual food grade volatiles reported to contribute to tomato flavor, and presented to a trained descriptive panel for flavor analysis. Based on descriptors resulting from these individual aroma compounds, volatiles were then grouped based on similarities of descriptors and again added to bland homogenate at three different levels and presented to the panel. Six to eight panelists rated 5 aroma, 6 taste and 3 after-taste descriptors on a 15 cm unstructured line scale. Positive correlations were found for the 'earthy' mix (3-methylbutanol, 3-methylbutanal, 2-isobutylthiazole) with overall, green, vine, earthy and musty aromas, and a negative correlation with sweet aroma. The 'green' mix (hexanal, trans-2-hexenal, trans-2-heptenal, cis-3-hexenal, cis-3-hexenol) correlated positively with overall and musty aroma, as well as overall aftertaste. The 'fruity' mix (acetaldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, B-ionone, geranylacetone, acetone, linalool, citral, 1-penten-3-one, ethanol, furaneol, and 6-methyl-5-hepten-3 one) showed significant positive correlations with overall, sweet tomato and tropical aromas, and a negative correlation to musty aroma, as well as positive correlations to sweet and fruity tastes, and a negative correlation to sour and bitter tastes. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on means across panelists. Three factors were extracted, explaining 27.2, 16.6 and 11.7% of the variation, and spiking with 2-isobutylthiazole, 'earthy' mixes, 1-penten-3-one, and 'green' mixes resulted in drivers for high loading on the earthy and green descriptors. The 'fruity 'mixes, furaneol and 2-phenylethanol were drivers for high loading on sweet and floral aroma.