How Low pH Can Intensify β-Damascenone and Dimethyl Trisulfide Production through Beer Aging

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2002 papers

Abstract

Flavor quality is of major importance to the consumer, but the flavor characteristics of beer appear to deteriorate greatly with time, at a rate depending on the composition of the beer and its storage conditions (notably pH). Prior to identifying the influence of pH on the development of the most intense staling flavors found in aged lager beers, the corresponding key flavor compounds were determined by aroma extract dilution analysis. In addition to trans-2-nonenal, beta-damascenone seems at least as important in the flavor of aged beer. Ethyl butyrate, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-acetylpyrazine, 3-(methylthio)propionaldehyde, 2-methoxypyrazine, maltol, gamma-nonalactone, and ethyl cinnamate are also relevant to the sensory profile of aged beer. Upon aging, a beer having a higher pH produces less beta-damascenone, because acid-catalyzed glycoside hydrolysis is decreased. On the other hand, it produces more 3-(methylthio)propionaldehyde, owing to Strecker degradation of methionine. Raising the beer pH additionally causes the release of 3-(methylthio)propionaldehyde from sulfitic adducts. These adducts, more stable at a lower pH, protect the aldehyde against premature oxidation to 3-(methylthio)propionic acid, thus making it available for dimethyl trisulfide formation during aging.

Related Papers

• → Ascorbate and transition-metal mediation of methanethiol oxidation to dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide(1994)129 cited
• → Key Odorants of Lazur, a Polish Mold-Ripened Cheese(2017)30 cited
• → Identification of volatile sulfur odorants emitted from ageing wastewater biosolids(2021)27 cited
• → Headspace Evaluation of Methanethiol and Dimethyl Trisulfide in Aqueous Solutions of Soy‐protein Isolates(2000)30 cited
• Sulfur-containing amino acid methionine as the precursor of volatile organic sulfur compounds in algea-induced black bloom(2013)