Application of Gc-O, Aroma Recombination and Omission Tests To Identify Horse Urine-Like Off-Odor in Gastrodia elata Blume

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Food Bioscience

Volume

74

DOI

10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107905

Abstract

Gastrodia elata Blume is a nutritious ingredient with high edible value. However, its distinctive odor, "horse urine-like off-odor", has limited its applications. The potential unpleasant odorants presenting a horse urine-like off-odor in G. elata was investigated by GC-MS-O. Two G. elata samples, one cultivated in Yichang (YC, with horse urine-like off-odor) and the other one cultivated in Yingshan (YS, without off-odor), were used for chemical analysis and sensory evaluation. The identification of compounds responsible for the odor differences between YC and YS provided the basis for determining key odorants that contribute to horse urine-like off-odor. In the GC-O analysis, 37 aroma compounds were identified in YC while 32 in YS. Aroma recombination and omission tests proved that ten compounds (including pentanal, benzeneacetic acid, benzaldehyde, 2,3-butanedione, acetoin, acetic acid, hexanoic acid, p-cresol, m-cresol, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol) were the main contributors to the horse urine-like off-odor. The pathways of off-odor formation in G. elata were elucidated. Our results provide insights into the formation of horse urine-like off-odor in G. elata.

Funding Number

31601434

Funding Sponsor

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Keywords

Aroma recombination, Gastrodia elata Blume, GC-MS-O, Horse urine-like off-odor, Omission tests

Department

Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging

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