Behaviour of non-oxidized and oxidized flaxseed oils, as models of omega-3 rich lipids, during in vitro digestion. Occurrence of epoxidation reactions

Monitoring galactolipid digestion and simultaneous changes in lipid-bile salt micellar organization by real-time NMR spectroscopy

The use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy for studying lipid digestion in vitro most often consists of quantifying lipolysis products after they have been extracted from the reaction medium using organic solvents. However, the current sensitivity level of NMR spectrometers makes possible to avoid the extraction step and continuously quantify the lipids directly in the reaction medium. We used real-time 1H NMR spectroscopy and guinea pig pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (GPLRP2) as biocatalyst to monitor in situ the lipolysis of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) in the form of mixed micelles with the bile salt sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC). Residual substrate and lipolysis products (monogalactosyl monoacylglycerol (MGMG); monogalactosylglycerol (MGG) and octanoic acid (OA) were simultaneously quantified throughout the reaction thanks to specific proton resonances. Lipolysis was complete with the release of all MGDG fatty acids. These results were confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and densitometry after lipid extraction at different reaction times. Using diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), we could also estimate the diffusion coefficients of all the reaction compounds and deduce the hydrodynamic radius of the lipid aggregates in which they were present. It was shown that MGDG-NaTDC mixed micelles with an initial hydrodynamic radius rH of 7.3 ± 0.5 nm were changed into smaller micelles of NaTDC-MGDG-MGMG of 2.3 ± 0.5 nm in the course of the lipolysis reaction, and finally into NaTDC-OA mixed micelles (rH of 2.9 ± 0.5 nm) and water soluble MGG. These results provide a better understanding of the digestion of galactolipids by PLRP2, a process that leads to the complete micellar solubilisation of their fatty acids and renders their intestinal absorption possible.

Epoxides: an underestimated lipid oxidation product

Immense gains in understanding of mechanisms and effects of lipid oxidation have been achieved in the nearly 90 years over which lipid oxidation has been an active research focus. Even so, the substantial questions still being raised about lipid oxidation in this special issue show clearly that missing pieces remain and must be considered for full accounting of this important reaction in any system. In this context, epoxides are spotlighted as a critical overlooked product of lipid autoxidation - underestimated in analysis, underestimated in presence as a functionally active and competitive intermediate and product of lipid oxidation, and underestimated in potential contributions to impact of lipid oxidation on other molecules and cell functions. Logical reasons for ignoring or not finding epoxides are offered in historical development of lipid oxidation knowledge. Reactions generating lipid epoxides in autoxidation are reviewed, limitations in detecting and tracking epoxides are outlined to explain why epoxides may not be detected when they should be present, and justifications for increased research and analysis of epoxides are argued. The main goal is to provide a context for recognizing epoxides as critical products that must be accounted for in determining the state rather than extent of lipid oxidation and in tracking its consequences in oils, foods, personal care products, and tissues. A secondary goal is to stimulate new research using contemporary analyses to fill in the gaps of knowledge about epoxide formation, structure, and reactions in lipid autoxidation.

Introduction of chlorogenic acid into thermal processed starch- oleic acid system controls the ordered structure and inhibits oleic acid oxidation through molecular interactions

In this study, the effects of starch- oleic acid (OA)- chlorogenic acid (CA) molecular interaction on OA oxidation during thermal processing were investigated based on structural analysis, oxidation characteristics and quantum calculations. The results showed that in the ternary system, on the one hand, OA could enter the spiral cavity of starch through hydrophobic forces and form V-type crystalline structure, which delayed its oxidation. On the other hand, CA could further inhibit the oxidation of OA through free radical reaction and did not affect the molecular interactions between OA and starch due to the steric hindrance and hydrophily. Notably, starch-OA-CA interactions could effectively decrease total oxidation value (19.07), prolong the induction time of oxidation (114.6 min) and reduce the abundance of oxidation products through hydrogen atom transfer reactions with active phenolic hydroxyl to protect the α-methylene groups at C=C. Overall, these results provided insights into functional property regulation by the interaction of starch-based multi-component systems.

New alternative sources of omega-3 fish oil

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids play an important role in brain growth and development, as well as in the health of the body. These fatty acids are traditionally found in seafood, such as fish, fish oils, and algae. They can also be added to food or consumed through dietary supplements. Due to a lack of supply to meet current demand and the potential for adverse effects from excessive consumption of fish and seafood, new alternatives are being sought to achieve the recommended levels in a safe and sustainable manner. New sources have been studied and new production mechanisms have been developed. These new proposals, as well as the importance of these fatty acids, are discussed in this paper.

Major dietary lipids in nutrition and health

In this chapter, an overview of the major lipids in the diet with emphasis in nutritional aspects is provided. Triacylglycerols, i.e., glycerol esterified with three fatty acids, are the predominant constituents in dietary lipids. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the nature and nutritional significance of the main fatty acids in the diet and their possible modifications during food processing and commercialization. The main fatty acids in dietary lipids are grouped into saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nutritional implications, the latest intervention trials and health recommendations will be discussed. A brief description of the major sources of lipids in the diet is included, oils and fats standing out. Other food sources shortly commented are milk and dairy products, meat, poultry and eggs, fish, and structured lipids designed to improve functional and nutritional properties. Modifications of fatty acids as a result of processing and commercialization are discussed because of their great relevance for their health implications, especially oxidation compounds and trans fatty acids.

NMR Analysis of Lipid Oxidation in Flaxseed Oil-in-Water Emulsions

The formation of linolenic (Ln) and linoleic (L) acyl oxidation products during storage of flaxseed oil (FO)-in-water emulsions was monitored using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, as well as chemical analytical methods and gas chromatography. Emulsions containing 10% FO and 1% Tween 60 were prepared by homogenization and then stored at 37 °C in the dark for 21 days under accelerated oxidation conditions (500 μmol ferrous sulfate). The induction time of the emulsions, after which rapid lipid oxidation was first observed, was 5-7 days, as shown by increases in peroxide values and hydroperoxide concentrations determined by NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of the hexanal and propanal concentrations during storage by HS-SPME-GC indicated that the oxidation of Ln and L acyls in the emulsions occurred simultaneously. The oxidation products originating from the Ln and L acyls were monitored using ¹H NMR spectroscopy throughout the oxidation process. These results also showed that the Ln and L acyls oxidized simultaneously, and isomers of hydroperoxy-cyclic hydroperoxides (HCPs), Z,E-conjugated dienic hydroperoxides (ZECDHPs), and E,E-conjugated dienic hydroperoxides (EECDHPs) were the major primary oxidation products. Aldehydes were observed after 7 days, which was taken to be the start of the propagation stage, with the formation of a significant amount of oxygenated α, β-unsaturated aldehydes (OαβUAs). Based on the concentrations of hydroperoxides originating from the Ln and L acyls, our results suggested that the loss rate of L acyls was parallel to that of Ln acyls. This result was consistent with Ln acyls adopting a tighter packing at the oil-water interface in the emulsions than L acyls. This hypothesis was supported by the NMR relaxation time data. A good correlation between the isomer concentrations of ZECDHPs and HCPs in Ln acyls and between ZECDHPs and EECDHPs in L acyls was shown, with the mole ratios between them being 1.2 and 1.1, respectively. Droplet size and microstructure analyses showed that droplet aggregation occurred from 11 days onwards, which was attributed to polar oxidation products located at the oil droplet surfaces promoting coalescence. Zeta-potential measurements indicated that the droplets became more negative during storage, which was attributed to the accumulation of anionic reaction products at the droplet surfaces.

Analytical and Structural Tools of Lipid Hydroperoxides: Present State and Future Perspectives

Mono- and polyunsaturated lipids are particularly susceptible to peroxidation, which results in the formation of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) as primary nonradical-reaction products. LOOHs may undergo degradation to various products that have been implicated in vital biological reactions, and thus in the pathogenesis of various diseases. The structure elucidation and qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipid hydroperoxides are therefore of great importance. The objectives of the present review are to provide a critical analysis of various methods that have been widely applied, and more specifically on volumetric methods, applications of UV-visible, infrared, Raman/surface-enhanced Raman, fluorescence and chemiluminescence spectroscopies, chromatographic methods, hyphenated MS techniques, NMR and chromatographic methods, NMR spectroscopy in mixture analysis, structural investigations based on quantum chemical calculations of NMR parameters, applications in living cells, and metabolomics. Emphasis will be given to analytical and structural methods that can contribute significantly to the molecular basis of the chemical process involved in the formation of lipid hydroperoxides without the need for the isolation of the individual components. Furthermore, future developments in the field will be discussed.

Different Effects of Vitamin C-Based Supplements on the Advance of Linseed Oil Component Oxidation and Lipolysis during In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

Although widely consumed, dietary supplements based on Vitamin C contain high doses of this compound, whose impact on lipid oxidation during digestion needs to be addressed. Therefore, the effect of seven commercial supplements and of pure l-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl palmitate on linseed oil during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was tackled. The advance of lipid oxidation was studied through the generation of oxidation compounds, the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains and of gamma-tocopherol, by employing Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Supplements containing exclusively l-ascorbic acid enhanced the advance of linseed oil oxidation during digestion. This was evidenced by increased formation of linolenic-derived conjugated hydroxy-dienes and alkanals and by the generation of conjugated keto-dienes and reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, such as 4,5-epoxy-2-alkenals; moreover, gamma-tocopherol was completely degraded. Conversely, supplements composed of mixtures of ascorbic acid/salt with citric acid and carotenes, and of ascorbyl palmitate, protected linseed oil against oxidation and reduced gamma-tocopherol degradation. The study through Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry of the volatile compounds of the digests corroborated these findings. Furthermore, a decreased lipid bioaccessibility was noticed in the presence of the highest dose of l-ascorbic acid. Both the chemical form of Vitamin C and the presence of other ingredients in dietary supplements have shown to be of great relevance regarding oxidation and hydrolysis reactions occurring during lipid digestion.

The quality and antioxidant elucidation of germinated flaxseed treated with acidic electrolyzed water

The endogenous fortification of antioxidant lipid concomitants in flaxseed was imperative to improve the oxidative stability of α-linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed and flaxseed oil upon processing, storage and gastrointestinal digestion. The comparative effects of acidic electrolyzed water (ACEW) and tap water (TW) on the triglyceride configuration, typical lipid concomitants, and antioxidant properties of flaxseed were conducted during 0-5 days of germination. The results showed that ACEW enhanced the germination rate of flaxseed by 18.25% and simultaneously suppressed the dynamic depletion of ALA by 5.32% when compared with TW (p < .05). The total phenolic acids, lignans, and flavonoids were effectively accumulated in flaxseed following ACEW-mediated germination with the further increase by 4.82%, 15.48%, and 8.22% in comparison with those induced by TW (p < .05). The total contents of cyclolinopeptides in flaxseed progressively dropped following either ACEW or TW treatment, a slighter decrease by 5.59% for flaxseed treated by ACEW than that by TW. Notably, the maximum accumulation of tocopherols and phytosterols had been early obtained for flaxseed treated with ACEW for 2-3 days due to the de novo synthesis or intermolecular conformational transition (p < .05). Most importantly, ACEW-mediated germination led to higher increment of the thermal oxidative stability and antioxidant properties of flaxseed and flaxseed oil in comparison to TW. In brief, the initial oxidation temperature increased by 7.09% and 3.06% (p < .05), and the antioxidant activities as evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP values raised by 3.86%-28.07% and 4.21%-9.18% (p < .05), respectively. These findings clarify that the germination especailly mediated by ACEW could be an effective method to further optimize the nutritional and functional properties of flaxseed through reconstructing the endogenous antioxidant system.

Chemical Changes of Hydroperoxy-, Epoxy-, Keto- and Hydroxy-Model Lipids under Simulated Gastric Conditions

Chemical changes occurring in dietary lipid oxidation compounds throughout the gastrointestinal tract are practically unknown. The first site for potential chemical modifications is the stomach due to the strong acidic conditions. In this study, model lipids representative of the most abundant groups of dietary oxidation compounds were subjected to in vitro gastric conditions. Thus, methyl linoleate hydroperoxides were used as representative of the major oxidation compounds formed in food storage at low and moderate temperatures. Methyl 9,10-epoxystearate, 12-oxostearate and 12-hydroxystearate were selected as model compounds bearing the oxygenated functional groups predominantly found in oxidation compounds formed at the high temperatures of frying. Analyses were performed using gas-liquid chromatography/flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry and high performance-liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection. Losses of methyl 9,10-epoxystearate and linoleate hydroperoxides in the ranges 17.8–58.8% and 42.3–61.7% were found, respectively, whereas methyl 12-oxostearate and methyl 12-hydroxystearate remained unaltered. Although quantitative data of the compounds formed after digestion were not obtained, methyl 9,10-dihydroxystearate was detected after digestion of methyl 9,10-epoxystearate, and some major volatiles were detected after digestion of linoleate hydroperoxides. Overall, the results showed that significant modifications of dietary oxidized lipids occurred during gastric digestion and supported that the low pH of the gastric fluid played an important role.

1H NMR Study of the In Vitro Digestion of Highly Oxidized Soybean Oil and the Effect of the Presence of Ovalbumin

Oxidized lipids containing a wide variety of potentially toxic compounds can be ingested through diet. However, their transformations during digestion are little known, despite this knowledge being essential in understanding their impact on human health. Considering this, the in vitro digestion process of highly oxidized soybean oil, containing compounds bearing hydroperoxy, aldehyde, epoxy, keto and hydroxy groups, among others, is studied by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance. Lipolysis extent, oxidation occurrence and the fate of oxidation products both present in the undigested oil and formed during digestion are analyzed. Furthermore, the effect during digestion of two different ovalbumin proportions on all the aforementioned issues is also addressed. It is proved that polyunsaturated group bioaccessibility is affected by both a decrease in lipolysis and oxidation occurrence during digestion. While hydroperoxide level declines throughout this process, epoxy-compounds, keto-dienes, hydroxy-compounds, furan-derivatives and n-alkanals persist to a great extent or even increase. Conversely, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, especially the very reactive and toxic oxygenated ones, diminish, although part of them remains in the digestates. While a low ovalbumin proportion hardly affects oil evolution during digestion, at a high level it diminishes oxidation and reduces the concentration of potentially bioaccessible toxic oxidation compounds.

Pork Liver Pâté Enriched with Persimmon Coproducts: Effect of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Its Fatty Acid and Polyphenol Profile Stability

Agrofood coproducts are used to enrich meat products to reduce harmful compounds and contribute to fiber and polyphenol enrichment. Pork liver pâtés with added persimmon coproducts (3 and 6%; PR-3 and PR-6, respectively) were developed. Therefore, the aim was to study the effect of their in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on: the free and bound polyphenol profile (HPLC) and their colon-available index; the lipid oxidation (TBARs); and the stability of the fatty acid profile (GC). Furthermore, the effect of lipolysis was investigated using two pancreatins with different lipase activity. Forty-two polyphenols were detected in persimmon flour, which were revealed as a good source of bound polyphenols in pâtés, especially gallic acid (164.3 µg/g d.w. in PR-3 and 631.8 µg/g d.w. in PR-6). After gastrointestinal digestion, the colon-available index in enriched pâté ranged from 88.73 to 195.78%. The different lipase activity in the intestinal phase caused significant differences in bound polyphenols' stability, contributing to increased lipid oxidation. The fatty acids profile in pâté samples was stable, and surprisingly their PUFA content was raised. In conclusion, rich fatty foods, such as pâté, are excellent vehicles to preserve bound polyphenols, which can reach the colon intact and be metabolized by the intestinal microbiome.

Black, green, and pink pepper affect differently lipid oxidation during cooking and in vitro digestion of meat

Lipid oxidation products generated during meat digestion may contribute to the apparent epidemiological link between red meat intake and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer. The aim of this work was to assess the lipid oxidation inhibitory activity of black, green, and pink pepper during cooking and in vitro digestion of meat. Peppers were characterized for their phenolic profiles by LC-ESI-MS and the antioxidant properties. Pink pepper showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Then, the peppers were added to meat either before or after cooking, and the meat was subjected to in vitro digestion. Pink pepper added before cooking was the most effective, with an inhibition of 80% and 72% in lipid hydroperoxides and TBA-RS formation after digestion, respectively. These findings suggest that peppers, particularly pink pepper, can be used to minimize lipid oxidation in the gastro-intestinal tract and for the design of healthy dietary patterns.

Encapsulation Effect on the In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Sacha Inchi Oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) by Soft Capsules Composed of Gelatin and Cactus Mucilage Biopolymers

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seed oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are beneficial for human health, whose nutritional efficacy is limited because of its low water solubility and labile bioaccessibility (compositional integrity). In this work, the encapsulation effect, using blended softgels of gelatin (G) and cactus mucilage (CM) biopolymers, on the PUFAs’ bioaccessibility of P. volubilis seed oil was evaluated during in vitro simulated digestive processes (mouth, gastric, and intestinal). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC–FID) were used for determining the chemical composition of P. volubilis seed oil both before and after in vitro digestion. The most abundant compounds in the undigested samples were α-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids with 59.23, 33.46, and 0.57 (g/100 g), respectively. The bioaccessibility of α-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acid was found to be 1.70%, 1.46%, and 35.8%, respectively, along with the presence of some oxidation products. G/CM soft capsules are capable of limiting the in vitro bioaccessibility of PUFAs because of the low mucilage ratio in their matrix, which influences the enzymatic hydrolysis of gelatin, thus increasing the release of the polyunsaturated content during the simulated digestion.

Study of the In Vitro Digestion of Olive Oil Enriched or Not with Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds. Relationships between Bioaccessibility of Main Components of Different Oils and Their Composition

The changes provoked by in vitro digestion in the lipids of olive oil enriched or not with different phenolic compounds were studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and solid phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). These changes were compared with those provoked in the lipids of corn oil and of virgin flaxseed oil submitted to the same digestive conditions. Lipolysis and oxidation were the two reactions under consideration. The bioaccessibility of main and minor components of olive oil, of phenolic compounds added, and of compounds formed as consequence of the oxidation, if any, were matters of attention. Enrichment of olive oil with antioxidant phenolic compounds does not affect the extent of lipolysis, but reduces the oxidation degree to minimum values or avoids it almost entirely. The in vitro bioaccessibility of nutritional and bioactive compounds was greater in the olive oil digestate than in those of other oils, whereas that of compounds formed in oxidation was minimal, if any. Very close quantitative relationships were found between the composition of the oils in main components and their in vitro bioaccessibility. These relationships, some of which have predictive value, can help to design lipid diets for different nutritional purposes.

The key role of ovalbumin in lipid bioaccessibility and oxidation product profile during the in vitro digestion of slightly oxidized soybean oil

The behaviour of slightly oxidized virgin and refined soybean oils during in vitro digestion was studied by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main objectives were to analyze lipolysis extent and oxidation during digestion, and to assess the impact of two different proportions of ovalbumin on both processes. At the same time γ-tocopherol fate was monitored, when possible, by 1H NMR. The results reveal that the initial oxidation degree of the oils negatively influences the lipolysis extent, reducing the bioaccessibility of the major oil components, which include some essential fatty acids. Although the low ovalbumin proportion tested does not significantly affect lipolysis, this is greatly enhanced when ovalbumin is added at a high level, improving lipid bioaccessibility. It has also been shown that oxidation does not seem to have occurred to a great enough extent during digestion for it to be detected from polyunsaturated acyl group degradation. Moreover, the changes observed in the oxidation product profile of the starting oils after digestion can be considered to be due mainly to the transformation of the initially present hydroperoxides, whose concentration diminishes in the digested samples to give hydroxy-dienes, epoxides and aldehydes. In presence of a high ovalbumin proportion, hydroperoxide reduction to hydroxy-dienes is favoured and lower levels of aldehydes and epoxides are observed. This latter could be due to a diminution in their generation and/or to their reaction with ovalbumin. A high proportion of this protein in the system also increases γ-tocopherol bioaccessibility.

Effect of adding alpha-tocopherol on the oxidation advance during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of sunflower and flaxseed oils

Few in vitro studies have tackled the effect of alpha-tocopherol on lipid oxidation during digestion, and discrepant results have been reported. As a result, the aim of this study was to elucidate whether the addition of alpha-tocopherol enhances or slows down the advance of oxidation that occurs during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of polyunsaturated lipids. For this purpose, commercial sunflower and flaxseed oils (as models of omega-6 and omega-3 rich lipid systems, respectively) were in vitro digested in the absence or in the presence of this tocol at different concentrations (0.02%, 0.2% and 2%). Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) and Solid Phase Microextraction followed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) were used to investigate in detail potential differences among the digests regarding lipolysis and oxidation level. Alpha-tocopherol addition did not affect the advance of lipolysis, whereas lipid oxidation was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. In this regard, the increased degradation of polyunsaturated lipids and greater generation of primary and secondary oxidation products observed at higher concentrations of alpha-tocopherol confirmed this observation. Among the formed oxidation products, hydroperoxy-, hydroxy- and keto-dienes, as well as oxygenated alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes are worth mentioning. The in vitro bioaccessibility of added tocopherol was estimated to be very low, suggesting a notable transformation under the assayed conditions. Further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm this prooxidant activity of alpha-tocopherol during gastrointestinal digestion.

Influence of minor components on lipid bioaccessibility and oxidation during in vitro digestion of soybean oil

BACKGROUND

Minor components of edible oils could influence their evolution during in vitro digestion. This might affect the bioaccessibility of lipid nutrients and the safety of the ingested food. Bearing this in mind, the evolution of virgin and refined soybean oils, which are very similar in acyl group composition, has been studied throughout in vitro digestion using ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography /mass spectrometry, focusing on lipolysis and oxidation reactions. The fate of γ-tocopherol, the main antioxidant present in soybean oil, has also been analyzed with ¹ H NMR.

RESULTS

There were no noticeable differences in lipolysis between the two oils that were studied. The extent of oxidation during digestion, which was very low in both cases, was slightly higher in the virgin type, which showed lower tocopherols and squalene concentrations than the refined one, together with a considerable abundance of free fatty acids. This can be deduced both from the appearance after digestion of conjugated hydroperoxy- and hydroxy-dienes only in the virgin oil, and from its higher levels of volatile aldehydes and 2-pentyl-furan. Under in vitro digestion conditions, the formation of epoxides seemed to be favored over other oxidation products. Finally, although some soybean oil essential nutrients like polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibited no significant degradation after digestion, γ-tocopherol concentration diminished during this process, especially in the virgin oil.

CONCLUSION

Although the minor component composition of the soybean oils did not affect lipolysis during in vitro digestion, it influenced the extent of their oxidation and γ-tocopherol bioaccessibility. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics of volatiles as a new tool for understanding aroma and flavour chemistry in processed food products

BACKGROUND

When foods are processed or cooked, many chemical reactions occur involving a wide range of metabolites including sugars, amino acids and lipids. These chemical processes often lead to the formation of volatile aroma compounds that can make food tastier or may introduce off-flavours. Metabolomics tools are only now being used to study the formation of these flavour compounds in order to understand better the beneficial and less beneficial aspects of food processing.

AIM OF REVIEW

To provide a critical overview of the diverse MS-based studies carried out in recent years in food metabolomics and to review some biochemical properties and flavour characteristics of the different groups of aroma-related metabolites. A description of volatiles from processed foods, and their relevant chemical and sensorial characteristics is provided. In addition, this review also summarizes the formation of the flavour compounds from their precursors, and the interconnections between Maillard reactions and the amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate degradation pathways.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This review provides new insights into processed ingredients and describes how metabolomics will help to enable us to produce, preserve, design and distribute higher-quality foods for health promotion and better flavour.

Characterisation of peroxidation products arising from culinary oils exposed to continuous and discontinuous thermal degradation processes

High-resolution NMR analysis has been used, for the first time, to identify, putatively, two new secondary aldehydic lipid oxidation products in culinary oils.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy in Food Science: A Comprehensive Review

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a robust method, which can rapidly analyze mixtures at the molecular level without requiring separation and/or purification steps, making it ideal for applications in food science. Despite its increasing popularity among food scientists, NMR is still an underutilized methodology in this area, mainly due to its high cost, relatively low sensitivity, and the lack of NMR expertise by many food scientists. The aim of this review is to help bridge the knowledge gap that may exist when attempting to apply NMR methodologies to the field of food science. We begin by covering the basic principles required to apply NMR to the study of foods and nutrients. A description of the discipline of chemometrics is provided, as the combination of NMR with multivariate statistical analysis is a powerful approach for addressing modern challenges in food science. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of recent and key applications in the areas of compositional analysis, food authentication, quality control, and human nutrition is provided. In addition to standard NMR techniques, more sophisticated NMR applications are also presented, although limitations, gaps, and potentials are discussed. We hope this review will help scientists gain some of the knowledge required to apply the powerful methodology of NMR to the rich and diverse field of food science.