Character impact odorants of high-heat skim milk powder isolated by simultaneous distillation-extraction.
To identify the character impact odorant of high-heat skim milk powder (HHSMP), a comparative study using ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) milk was performed. Aroma concentrate was prepared by column adsorption combined with simultaneous distillation-extraction. Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) revealed 58 aroma peaks with flavor dilution (FD) factors ranging from 10 to 3000; from these, 41 compounds were identified and 7 compounds were tentatively identified (FD factor > or = 300). Among these HHSMP and UHT milk components, methyl 2-methyl-3-furyl disulfide and bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) disulfide, which appeared to be generated during the processing of each product, were identified. When the results of the AEDA of both samples were compared, it was considered that the characteristic aroma of HHSMP was not explained by a single compound but instead formed from a mixture of several types of compounds contained in common with the UHT milk. The contribution of these compounds to the aroma of HHSMP was confirmed by an aroma simulation experiment.
Quantitation of Nine Lactones in Dairy Cream by Stable Isotope Dilution Assays Based on Novel Syntheses of Carbon-13-Labeled γ-Lactones and Deuterium-Labeled δ-Lactones in Combination with Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
Lactones are well-known aroma compounds in, e.g., fruits and fermented foods as well as in dairy products, such as cream or milk powders. The latter are often used in confectionary products, e.g., milk chocolate. Lactones are suggested to contribute to the distinct aroma of dairy products and have also been reported in milk chocolate. However, data on their contribution to the overall aroma of this type of chocolate are scarce. As a result of their pH-dependent instability and their low volatility, a reliable quantitation of lactones is a challenge. Thus, to allow for a quantitation of nine lactones in one single comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry in electron ionization mode run, new synthetic routes were developed for five carbon-13-labeled γ-lactones and four deuterium-labeled δ-lactones, with the isotope label in the ring to be used in stable isotope dilution assays. The concentrations of the nine lactones were then analyzed in raw and pasteurized cream as well as in a heat-treated raw cream. δ-Dodecalactone and δ-decalactone showed the highest concentrations in both the raw and pasteurized cream. In the latter, δ-dodecalactone reached a 2.5-fold higher concentration compared to the raw cream. Subsequent heat treatments in a lab scale showed a further increase by factors of 13 and 19, respectively, suggesting a high potential of lactone precursors in cream. The results serve as a basis for further studies on lactone formation in other thermally processed products, such as milk chocolate.
Genetics of the phenotypic evolution in sheep: a molecular look at diversity-driving genes
Background After domestication, the evolution of phenotypically-varied sheep breeds has generated rich biodiversity. This wide phenotypic variation arises as a result of hidden genomic changes that range from a single nucleotide to several thousands of nucleotides. Thus, it is of interest and significance to reveal and understand the genomic changes underlying the phenotypic variation of sheep breeds in order to drive selection towards economically important traits. Review Various traits contribute to the emergence of variation in sheep phenotypic characteristics, including coat color, horns, tail, wool, ears, udder, vertebrae, among others. The genes that determine most of these phenotypic traits have been investigated, which has generated knowledge regarding the genetic determinism of several agriculturally-relevant traits in sheep. In this review, we discuss the genomic knowledge that has emerged in the past few decades regarding the phenotypic traits in sheep, and our ultimate aim is to encourage its practical application in sheep breeding. In addition, in order to expand the current understanding of the sheep genome, we shed light on research gaps that require further investigation. Conclusions Although significant research efforts have been conducted in the past few decades, several aspects of the sheep genome remain unexplored. For the full utilization of the current knowledge of the sheep genome, a wide practical application is still required in order to boost sheep productive performance and contribute to the generation of improved sheep breeds. The accumulated knowledge on the sheep genome will help advance and strengthen sheep breeding programs to face future challenges in the sector, such as climate change, global human population growth, and the increasing demand for products of animal origin.