The chemistry of onion volatiles is influenced both by enzymatically and thermally induced reactions during processing. Due to the degradation of precursors and, after this, of transient, unstable primary products and the coexistent formation of secondary products, the onion odour is a constant changing substance mixture. Based on the concept of the molecular science, the most important aroma compounds of deep-fried as well as of cooked onions were identified and, after this, quantified using stable isotope dilution assays. The results proved a different qualitative as well as quantitative composition of the aroma substances. Beside the degradation products of the chip fat, the aroma of deep-fried onions was dominated by aliphatic sulfides, whereas a mixture of sulfides and sulphur containing heterocyclic compounds (e.g. 3,5-diethyl-1,2,4-trithiolane, 3,6-diethyl-1,2,4,5-tetrathiane, 4,7-diethyl-1,2,3,5,6-pentathiepane) were responsible for the aroma of cooked onions. Further, some contradictory identifications in the literature could be corrected.
«The chemistry of onion volatiles is influenced both by enzymatically and thermally induced reactions during processing. Due to the degradation of precursors and, after this, of transient, unstable primary products and the coexistent formation of secondary products, the onion odour is a constant changing substance mixture. Based on the concept of the molecular science, the most important aroma compounds of deep-fried as well as of cooked onions were identified and, after this, quantified using st...
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