Siree Chaiseri

Changes in the Profile of Volatiles of Canned Coconut Milk during Storage

The alteration of the profile of volatiles of canned coconut milk was monitored during storage at ambient temperature. Canned coconut milk was thermally processed (121 °C for 5 min), and then stored at ambient temperature (32 to 35 °C) for 6 mo. Volatile compounds were assessed monthly using direct solvent extraction (diethyl ether), followed by high-vacuum distillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Six groups of compounds consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, lactones, and others were identified. Two stages of major changes in profile of volatiles were observed. The 1st occurred after 2 mo as indicated by a high abundance of alcohols, acids, and lactones. The 2nd was observed after 5 mo and corresponded to a large increase in lactones, short-chain free fatty acids, 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, and phenol. Acetic and butyric acids observed after 5 mo could contribute to the potential of off-odor development in the product as indicated by their high odor activity values. Lactones increased approximately 10-fold. Identification of 3-methyl-2(5H)-furanone indicated that Maillard reaction had occurred in conjunction with the development of a coconut, toffee-like, and caramel odor.

Characteristics of menthone encapsulated complex by mungbean, tapioca, and rice starches

ABSTRACT In order to use commercial starch for flavor encapsulation, three starches (mungbean, rice, and tapioca) were selected to determine their ability to form inclusion complex with menthone. Mungbean starch had the highest amylose content, followed by rice starch and tapioca starch, respectively. After complexation, appearance and microstructure changes were observed for all starches. Mungbean and tapioca complexes with well-organized V7 crystalline pattern gave similar menthone entrapment (around 4%) which was higher than that of the rice sample (<1%). Molecular size distribution of the complexes revealed the role of amylose fractions for both mungbean and tapioca complexes. According to differential scanning calorimetric analysis, menthone complexes formation was confirmed by a thermoreversible event. Regarding the high yield of starch precipitate and menthone entrapment, mungbean starch is considered a more suitable material for menthone encapsulation rather than tapioca and rice starches.

Potential of Szechuan pepper as a saltiness enhancer

ABSTRACT The flavor profile, flavor enhancement, and saltiness modulation of Szechuan pepper (Zanthoxylum simulans) were analyzed to evaluate its effectiveness in lowering salt usage. The saltiness enhancing efficiency of Szechuan pepper and its salt-reduction properties were determined to be 28.74% and 22.32%, respectively. The saltiness enhancers were detected in the polar fraction and taste dilution analysis combined with half-tongue test determined the most potent saltiness enhancing components in chromatographic subfractions. Both spectroscopic analysis and sensory evaluation disclosed NaCl as the unexpected primary contributor of saltiness enhancement in this spice. It is the first known study revealing Szechuan pepper’s high salt content.

Physicochemical properties and flavor retention ability of alkaline calcium hydroxide-mungbean starch films

The physicochemical properties and the flavor retention ability of the dried mungbean starch film formed in the presence of calcium ions under alkaline pH were analyzed. Treating starch in a NaOH or Ca(OH)2 solution at pH 12 induced the formation B-type starch crystal. However, the starch film made with Ca(OH)2 (Ca-film) was more effective than starch film made with NaOH (Na-film) in entrapping 1,8-cineole, menthone and citonellol. Entrapment efficiency of citonellol in Ca-film which had B-type starch crystal structure was close to that of the V-type starch film formed at neutral pH using distilled water (DW-film). 1,8-cineole, menthone, and citronellol were entrapped in dried Ca-films for 5.07%, 1.52%, and 30.84%, respectively. Physical entrapment of flavor compounds by alkaline-treated starch and high water solubility (24.4-46.7 %) of Ca-films could help designing a novel controlled flavor release systems.