Microwave technology offers a rapid and uniform heating method. This study investigated how microwave pretreatment affects the aroma precursors and flavor of fragrant rapeseed oils (FROs). Microwave pretreatment led to decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, sugars, protein-bound amino acids, and glucosinolates. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we identified 66 volatile compounds in the oil samples. Among these, based on odor activity values (OAV ≥ 1), we found 9 aldehydes, 1 ketone, 6 pyrazines, 1 isothiocyanate, and 7 nitriles as the key aroma-active compounds, contributing fatty-like, nutty-like, and pungent-like odors, respectively. The electronic nose results highlighted W5S and W1W as primary sensors for determining the flavor profiles of FROs. Notably, aroma-active pyrazines exhibited strong negative correlations with sucrose, cysteine, lysine, and isoleucine. This research provides essential insights for enhancing the aroma of FROs.
Keywords: Fragrant rapeseed oil; Glucosinolate degradation; Lipid oxidation; Maillard reaction; Microwave pretreatment.
© 2024 The Authors.