Naturally occurring volatile sulfur compounds in cabbage have been identified by mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Twenty sulfur compounds are reported of which five are isothiocyanates, five sulfides, nine disulfides and one trisulfide. Two additional isothiocyanates and one trisulfide are tentatively reported. The method of mass spectral analysis is described for representative members of these sulfur compounds. Gas chromatography of fresh, dehydrated and rehydrated cabbage clearly shows the presence of ally1 isothiocyanate in fresh cabbage and its regeneration by enzymatic action in dehydrated. cabbage. The identification of five isothiocyanates reveals the presence of corresponding thioglucosides from which the isothiocyanates are released by enzymatic hydrolysis. Similarly corresponding reactions leading to the formation of sulfides are discussed.
SUMMARY
Data obtained with several banana varieties show excellent qualitative and quantitative correlations between the development of flavor and odor notes and chemical analysis for volatiles by gas‐liquid chromatography. The characteristic “banana‐like” flavor is due to the amyl esters of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. The distinctive “fruity” and “estery” notes are attributed to butyl acetate, butyl butyrate, hexyl acetate, and amyl butyrate. It is evident from these studies that determination of the chemical composition of the volatiles has permitted a much more precise characterization of flavor and odor notes, and, conversely, that these flavor profiles contribute greatly to interpretation of the significance of chemical constituents. The correlations found also substantiate the potential value of gas chromatographic analysis for routine evaluation of banana fruit quality. It is anticipated that the combined use of these two techniques will enhance the value of both in their application to numerous flavor and odor problems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.