Odor activity value (OAV) and S-curve were used to study
the content,
proportion, and contribution of lactone chiral enantiomers in Longjing
tea. A total of 10 enantiomers were identified in this study, among
which (S)-(−)-δ-decalactone (45.4–84.4
μg/L), (S)-(−)-γ-decalactone (31.5–109
μg/L), (S)-(−)-γ-nonanolactone
(23.4–72.8 μg/L), and (S)-(−)-γ-undecalactone
(21.1–56.2 μg/L) presented the highest concentrations.
Furthermore, (R)-(+)-γ-nonanolactone (OAV:
2–7), (S)-(−)-γ-nonanolactone
(OAV: 1–5), (S)-(−)-δ-decalactone
(OAV: 2–4), (R)-(+)-δ-decalactone (OAV:
1–3), and (R)-(+)-γ-undecalactone (OAV:
1–5) were determined as enantiomeric compounds that play an
important role in the perceived aroma of Longjing tea. Compared with
the aromatic reconstitution (AR), the threshold increased to different
degrees after adding γ-nonanolactone, γ-decalactone, δ-decalactone,
γ-undecalactone, and their chiral enantiomers. This finding
indicated that these compounds exert significant effects on the overall
aroma of the AR. The contribution of racemates and chiral enantiomers
to the AR threshold and aroma is completely different. In view of
the difference between racemic and enantiomers’ aroma characteristics
in Longjing tea, the analysis and identification of chiral enantiomers
are necessary to enrich and improve the accurate analysis of the flavor
profile of Longjing tea.