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Article

Evaluation of Volatilomic Fingerprint from Apple Fruits to Ciders: A Useful Tool to Find Putative Biomarkers for Each Apple Variety

1
CQM–Centro de Química da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
2
Department of Food Science and Technology, Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, CEBAS (CSIC), Campus Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
3
Direção Regional de Agricultura, Divisão de Inovação Agroalimentar, Avenida Arriaga, n° 21A, Edificio Golden Gate, 9000-060 Funchal, Portugal
4
Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Engenharia, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Foods 2020, 9(12), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9121830
Submission received: 30 October 2020 / Revised: 3 December 2020 / Accepted: 7 December 2020 / Published: 9 December 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Food Analytical Methods)

Abstract

:
Aroma is a crucial criterion to assess the quality of apple fruits, juices, and ciders. The aim of this study was to explore similarities and differences in volatile profiles among apple fruits, juices, and ciders from different apple varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (HS–SPME/GC–MS). A total of 142 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, but only 9 were common in all analysed matrices and apple-tested varieties. Esters, alcohols, and aldehydes presented a higher concentration in apple fruits and juices, whereas esters, alcohols, and acids were dominant in ciders. Moreover, there were unique VOCs for each matrix and for each variety, highlighting the importance of the selection of apple varieties as an important factor to obtain good sensory and quality ciders, multiple benefits, and legal protection against the misuse of local products.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Apple aroma is a crucial criterion to assess fruit quality. This organoleptic quality is due to several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and esters [1]. More specifically, 2-methyl butyl acetate, butyl acetate, and (E)-2-hexenal are reported as the most significant VOCs contributing to the typical apple aroma [2]. Most VOCs in apple juice are not genuine constituents of apples, but produced from precursors by enzymatic reactions upon squeezing [3,4]. Apple variety, environment, ripening stage, storage, and processing procedure are some factors that influence the content of VOCs in apple juices [3]. Consequently, cider, a globally popular beverage, is obtained from the partial or total alcoholic fermentation of apple juice (raw material) [5]. The level of VOCs in ciders depends on the applied technology, the microorganisms involved in the fermentation process, ageing on lees, maturation, and storage conditions [4,6,7]. Typically, ripe or overripe (senescent) apples are used in cider processing due to their softened structures, thus resulting in higher juice yields and an increase in sugar content during apple ripening [8]. In fact, in a recent study, for all studied varieties, senescent fruits provided more aromatic fermented apple beverages [9]. The VOCs formed during the fermentation process, such as 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-phenylethanol, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl ethanoate, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, and 2-methyl butanoic acid, are responsible for the fruity odours of ciders [10,11,12].
Currently, the food-quality programme of the European Union encourages food-origin protection through Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)) with the purpose of ensuring the quality of the final product [7]. Therefore, an analytical approach combined with a microextraction procedure should be developed to guarantee the genuineness of foodstuffs. An analytical tool widely used in the establishment of the volatile profile of apples, juices, and ciders is gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS–SPME) in order to define the authenticity and typicity of the samples using VOCs [4,11,13,14]. This method is a valuable tool in the establishment of a volatile profile since it requires small amounts of a sample and no solvents, and it is fast, economical, reproducible, and sensitive.
Concerning the evaluation of the authenticity and typicity of apple-related products using VOCs, Medina et al. [13] used HS–SPME/GC–MS combined with chemometric tools (e.g., principal-component analysis (PCA)) to characterize the volatile fingerprint of apple juices from the island of Madeira. The obtained results revealed that VOCs could be used as authenticity markers to validate the variety and geographical origin of apple juices, providing local producers with numerous benefits. Perestrelo et al. [11] also established the volatile signature of apple ciders from five different geographical regions of Madeira by HS–SPME/GC–MS combined with chemometric tools. In the same context, Nespor et al. [14] evaluated the technology used in cider making, and differences in VOC composition were observed between ciders produced under intensified and traditional technologies. Despite the high potentiality of this methodology, few studies were performed to explore the similarities and differences of volatile profiles among apple fruits, juices, and cider samples. In this sense, the aim of this study was to establish the volatile profile of these apple matrices (fruits, juices, and ciders), from different apple varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) from Madeira using HS–SPME/GC–MS. Then, the obtained data were subjected to the chemometric approach in order to find putative markers of apple variety.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemicals and Materials

All reagents utilized in this assay were of analytical quality. Sodium chloride (NaCl, 99.5%), and calcium chloride (CaCl2, >99.0%) were obtained from Panreac (Spain, Barcelona). Ultrapure water was supplied from a Milli-Q® system (Millipore); the 3-octanol used as internal standard and other VOCs for identification, namely, 1-butanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-propanol, (E)-2-hexenal, 2-methyl-butanal, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-phenylethanol, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, hexyl acetate, and pentanal with purity up to 98% were acquired from Sigma Aldrich (Madrid, Spain). Helium gas purity of 5.0 (Air Liquide, Portugal) was utilized as the GC carrier gas. Solid-phase microextraction holder and divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber were supplied from Supelco (Bellefonte, PA, USA). The Kovats index (KI) was calculated by the injection of a series of C8 to C20 straight-chain n-alkanes (at 40 mg L−1 in n-hexane) produced by Fluka (Buchs, Switzerland).

2.2. Apple-Fruit Samples

Fresh Festa, Branco, and Domingos apple varieties (Malus domestica) were directly provided by local producers from Jardim da Serra (JS), which is a Madeira region located within coordinates 32°41′49.00″ N and −16°59′39.00″ W, with an average temperature of 14.7 °C, mean annual rainfall of 690 mm, and altitude of 825 m. The chosen varieties for this study are the most cultivated varieties in the JS region. All samples from the same variety, produced in 2017, were collected (~3 kg of each variety) in the senescent ripening stage from 5 different trees in order to achieve as representative a sample as possible, and they were visually inspected to ensure no apparent damage or disease. The maturation index was determined (no more than 24 h after collection) using the starch–iodine test according to Blanpied et al. [15], using a reference colour–number chart, 8 being the number for senescent (over-ripe) apples.

2.3. Sample Processing

2.3.1. Apple-Fruit Processing

The apples of each variety were cleaned with tap water, unpeeled, and deseeded. With the purpose of homogenizing the apple-fruit samples, all apple pieces were immediately transferred into a blender. An amount of CaCl2 (3%, w/v) was added to avoid enzyme browning according to a previous study [16]. The mixture was stored in glass vials at 4 °C until analysis.

2.3.2. Apple-Juice Processing

Other servings of apple fruits (cleaned, unpeeled, deseeded, and cut into pieces) were squeezed at room temperature (22 ± 1 °C) using a hand press juicer machine for apples. An amount of CaCl2 (3%, w/v) was added. In order to obtain a representative portion of the apple juice of a specific variety, several apple fruits of the same variety were used to make a whole juice. In this study, fresh (nonthermal processing) apple juices were used to collect data on the aroma descriptors of these juices that could be used as useful information in the traditional cider-making process. The obtained juice was divided into aliquots of 50 mL and stored in sealed glass bottles at 4 °C until further analysis.

2.3.3. Cider Processing

The cider (fermented apple beverage) samples were produced in 2017 for each variety (not blending) according to traditional fermentation methods in open stainless-steel tanks (100 L) at 14 ± 1 °C over the course of 3 weeks and in direct contact with lees. These ciders (from Festa, Branco, and Domingos apple varieties) were provided by specific producers (3 bottles of 750 mL for each variety) from JS, and they were obtained through fermentation by commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bouquet yeast strains supplied by ENARTIS Portugal, LDA (Porto, Portugal), in an active dried form that was rehydrated and inoculated (20 g 100 L−1). After fermentation, sulphites (SO2) with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were added at 30 mg L−1, and cider maturation (no more than 3 months) took place in stainless-steel tanks at a temperature of 14 ± 1 °C. Then, ciders were bottled in a dark glass after clarification that naturally occurred as the ciders stetted during maturation. The final product was transported to the laboratory in a cooler with ice and kept at 4 °C until chemical analysis for a maximum of 1 month.

2.4. Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction

The headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS–SPME) procedure was adopted from a previous study validated in our laboratory with apple fruits [1], with slight modifications. In short, 5 g of apple fruit or 5 mL of apple juice or cider, 5 µL of 3-octanol (as IS to the concentration of 2.94 µg L−1), 2 g of NaCl were added into an amber glass with constant magnetic stirring of 500 rpm. Before using, the SPME fiber was conditioned according to the manufacturer’s instructions and exposed to the headspace for 45 min at 40 ± 1 °C. Then, the fiber was removed from the glass vial and immediately inserted into the GC injector port for 6 min at 250 °C for the thermal desorption of the VOCs. All analyses were performed in triplicate (n = 3).

2.5. Gas Chromatography–Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Conditions

Chromatographic separation conditions were adopted from previous reports carried out in different apple matrices by our research team [13] using an Agilent 6890N (Palo Alto, CA, USA) gas chromatography system equipped with a BP-20 (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.25 µm film thickness) fused silica capillary column acquired from SGE (Darmstadt, Germany) with helium (Helium N60, Air Liquid, Portugal) as carrier gas at 1 mL min−1 (column-head pressure: 13 psi). The temperature of the injector was set at 250 °C, and a splitless injector equipped with an insert of 0.75 mm i.d. was used. The temperature programme was fixed as follows: initial temperature of 40 °C, a ramp of 3 °C min−1 to 220 °C, and constant temperature was kept for 10 min at the end. The GC–qMS interface was held at 220 °C, and the manifold and quadrupole temperatures were both set at 180 °C. For MS detection, an Agilent 5975 quadrupole inert mass selective detector was used with an electron-impact (EI) energy of 70 eV and source temperature of 180 °C. The electron multiplier was set up to the autotune procedure, and acquisition mass range was set from m/z 30 to 300. The identification of VOCs was performed by comparing GC retention time and mass spectra with those of the standard, when available (Table 1); all mass spectra were also compared with the data library (NIST, 2005 software, Mass Spectral Search Program v.2.0d; Washington, DC, USA). The match factor criterion for identification was higher than 80%; Kovats index (KI) values were calculated according to the Van den Dool and Kratz equation [17]. Values were contrasted with values reported in the scientific literature for similar columns (Bianchi, 2007; Ferreira 2009), and with databases available online (The Pherobase and Flavornet). Semiquantification was performed, and VOC concentration was estimated in comparison to the added amount of 3-octanol (used as IS) according to the following equation: VOC concentration = (VOC GC peak area/IS GC peak area) × IS concentration. This approach was performed in a previous scientific study of Madeira wines [18]. Analyses were performed in triplicate, and average values of concentration (µg kg−1 (fruits) and µg L−1 (juices and ciders)) were used in further data analysis. Total ion chromatograms obtained by HS-SPME/GC–qMS analysis of apple fruits, juices, and ciders of the different varieties are shown in Figure S1.

2.6. Statistical-Data Elaboration

All experiments were carried out in triplicate, and the relative concentration is presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis was completed by use of SPSS software version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by which one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the multiple-range (Tukey’s) test were performed to identify significant differences among the three matrices (fruits, juices, and ciders) and among the three varieties (Festa, Branco and Domingos). Significant differences were set at p < 0.05. Before applying the chemometric approach, data from GC–qMS analyses were median-normalized and Pareto-scaled [19]. Principal-component analysis (PCA) was used for unsupervised analysis, and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) for supervised analysis. All features with a variable-importance-in-projection (VIP) score higher than 1.6 and differentially expressed in univariate analysis were considered to be potential biomarkers for the discrimination of samples on the basis of apple matrices (fruits, juices, and ciders). Hierarchical-clustering analysis (HCA) was generated by Ward and Euclidean distance in order to identify clustering patterns. Statistical analysis was performed using web-based application MetaboAnalyst v. 4.0, created at the University of Alberta, Canada [20].

3. Results

3.1. Qualitative and Semiquantitative Volatile Profile

In the current study, the volatile composition detected in apple-fruit, -juice, and -cider samples (142 VOCs) was characterized by the presence of 58 esters, 34 alcohols, 19 aldehydes, 10 ketones, 8 terpenoids, 7 acids, 3 sulphur compounds, 1 dioxolane, 1 lactone, and 1 aromatic hydrocarbon (Table 1). In apple fruits and juices, major chemical families were esters (on average, 24.45% and 18.82% for the total volatile composition, respectively), alcohols (24.36% and 37.94%), and aldehydes (24.60% and 37.23%). Nevertheless, an exception was observed for Branco apple fruits, since the contribution of terpenes (18.71%) for the total volatile profile was higher than that of esters (9.92%). On the other hand, esters (51.12%), alcohols (42.92%), and acids (5.29%) were the predominant chemical families in ciders (Figure 1). Specifically, in ciders, the relative concentration of esters increased 9- and ~12-fold on average in comparison with fruits and juices, respectively, due to the fermentation process. Additionally, alcohols are other chemical compounds were found in high concentration in ciders (4407.18 µg L−1 on average), ~6- and 4-fold, when compared to apple fruits and juices, respectively (773.66 and 1157.17 µg L−1 on average, respectively) (Figure 1).
In apple fruits, the VOCs of highest relative concentration were 2-hexenal (on average, 428.83 µg kg−1), 1-hexanol (403.70 µg kg−1), and α-farnesene (368.27 µg kg−1); in juices, they were 2-hexenal (on average, 663.13 µg L−1), 1-hexanol (515.70 µg L−1), and 3-methyl-1-butanol (367.07 µg L−1). In ciders, the VOCs of highest relative concentration were ethyl octanoate (on average, 3659.23 µg L−1), ethanol (2582.63 µg L−1), and 3-methyl-1-butanol (1439.60 µg L−1), as shown in Table 1.
Among 142 identified and semiquantified VOCs, only 9 (acetaldehyde (1), ethyl acetate (3), ethanol (8), ethyl butanoate (17), ethyl 2-methylbutanoate (20), 1-butanol (29), ethyl hexanoate (43), hexyl acetate (49) and 1-hexanol (67)) were common in all analysed matrices (fruit, juice, and cider) and in all apple-tested varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) (Figure 2).
Among these 9 VOCs, acetaldehyde (1), ethyl butanoate (17), and ethyl 2-methylbutanoate (20) were higher in fruits than in juices and ciders, whereas ethyl acetate (3), ethanol (8), ethyl hexanoate (43), and hexyl acetate (49) were the largest VOCs detected in ciders. In the current study, there were statistical differences (p < 0.05) among the relative concentrations of these common VOCs according to different matrices and among apple varieties (Table 1). Nonetheless, in the case of acetaldehyde (1), there were no differences in the juices from three apple varieties. Similarly, when we compared apple fruits from 3 varieties for ethyl hexanoate (43), there were no statistically significant differences. Related to 1-hexanol (67), there were no statistical differences among fruits, juices, and ciders from the Domingos variety (Table 1 and Figure 2).

3.2. Contribution of Apple Matrices (Fruit, Juice, and Cider) on Volatile Profile

As stated above, this study allowed for identifying common VOCs among 3 matrices studied from 3 different varieties (Figure 2), and other specifics for each commodity (Table 1). In order to differentiate apple-fruit, -juice, and -cider samples by volatilomic profile, principal-component analysis (PCA) was performed (Figure 3).
Thus, effective separation according to apple matrices was achieved. The closeness of the samples on the PCA score plot indicated a similar volatile profile, and the PCA biplot showed the relationship between loadings (VOCs) and variables (fruits, juices, and ciders). The variance of PC1 and PC2 was 41.6% and 19.1%, respectively, representing 60.7% of the total variability of data, allowing for good differentiation among apple fruits, juices, and ciders. Combining the variable-importance-in-projection (VIP) values from PLS-DA higher than 1.6 (data not shown), 15 VOCs were selected as putative markers for discrimination among apple fruits, juices, and ciders. These putative markers were 2-propanol (5), toluene (18), hexanal (22), propyl butanoate (25), 2-hexenal (41), styrene (47), 2-hexen-1-ol isomer (73), ethyl octanoate (79), ethyl nonanoate (96), ethyl decanoate (110), diethyl butanedioate (117), ethyl 9-decenoate (119), 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol (120), 2-phenylethyl acetate (125) and octanoic acid (139). In addition, heat-map clustering based on significant features from ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test was carried out to display data distribution and to compare the respective relatively quantified levels of VOCs throughout the apple matrices (Figure 4).
More specifically, in apple fruits, esters such as butyl butanoate (42), hexyl propanoate (66), butyl hexanoate (75) were related to sweet fruity green apples and over-ripe fruit as odour attributes. One ketone (1-octen-3-one (55)), 1 terpenoid as α-farnesene isomer ((Z–E)-α-farnesene) (121), and 1 lactone (2-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (141)) were only detected in fruit samples in at least 2 varieties, not identifying either in juices or in ciders.
Regarding juices, several VOCs were exclusively identified in this matrix, namely, butanal (4), 2,4,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (7), 1-penten-3-ol (28), 2-penten-1-ol (58), and 2-butoxyethanol (70) with pungent, horseradish, green vegetables, and a tropical-fruit odour description; these VOCs were not identified in either fruit or cider samples.
The main chemical families of VOCs found in ciders that formed the fermentation bouquet were esters and alcohols, and aldehydes and ketones to a lesser extent (Figure 1). In this way, among esters, methyl octanoate (71), ethyl nonanoate (96), ethyl decanoate (110), diethyl butanedioate (117), ethyl 9-decenoate (119), and 2-phenylethyl acetate (125) were identified in all cider samples from the 3 investigated varieties (Table 1). Acids could also be important odour compounds in the ciders, such as octanoic acid (139), with a sweaty cheese aroma that was only found in ciders, but not in fruits or juices. However, this VOC was semiquantified below its odour threshold (OT ~3000 µg L−1). Among alcohols detected in ciders, 2 (3-methyl-1-pentanol (62) and 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol (120)) were identified in the ciders from the 3 varieties. Regarding the terpenoids detected only in ciders, β-damascenone (126), characterized by a woody, sweet, fruity, green, and floral aroma, was found in 2 of the 3 studied varieties, ranging between 13.2 and 17.8 µg L−1. Additionally, in the current study, styrene (47) was only identified in ciders and was quantified for the first time. It is a terpenoid with sweet, balsamic, floral, and plastic odour attributes, and it has only been detected in ciders from all studied varieties, the Festa variety being the samples with the highest relative concentration (67.5 µg L−1).
On the other hand, there were several VOCs that were not identified in cider samples from the three varieties (Table 1). For example, α-farnesene (122) was identified in apple fruits and juices, but not detected in ciders. Moreover, toluene (18) with the sweet aroma is another VOC found in apple fruits and juices, but not detected in cider samples. Additionally, some VOCs, such as hexanal (22) and 2-hexenal (41), found in apple fruits and juices from the three different varieties, were not identified in ciders (Table 1). Likewise, the ketone family were decreased in ciders in comparison with in the fruits and juices (Figure 1). Four ketones (2-propanone (2), 3-octanone (46), 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (64) and 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propanone (140)) were not found in ciders, but they were identified in fruits and juices.

3.3. Impact of Apple Variety on Volatile Profile

Food-authenticity issues may be solved by the detection and eventual quantification of specific metabolites that are able to discriminate among specific varieties, as shown in Table 2. In this way, for example, in apple-fruit samples, α-farnesene (122) was detected in all varieties, but (Z,E)-α-farnesene (121) was only identified in 2 varieties (Festa and Branco). The same applied in the case of linalool (95), which in the current study was only identified in Branco fruit samples. Furthermore, another terpenoid (estragole (113) with sweet, phenolic, anise, spicy, green, herbal, and minty aroma descriptors) was only detected in apple fruits from the Branco variety, as can be seen in Table 1 and Table 2. Thus, these VOCs could serve as authenticity indicators to verify apple-fruit variety. Another VOC only detected in the Branco variety (fruit and juice) was 2-nonenal (94). The Domingos apple sample was the variety with more unique VOCs in comparison with those in the other varieties (Festa and Branco) (Table 2). In fact, benzothiazole (134) was a unique VOC to the Domingos apple juice and regarding the VOCs that were only present in Domingos ciders, such as pentyl acetate (33), decanal (89), citronellol (123), geranylcetone (129), or nerolidol (138) (Table 2). This find provides us with a clear overview of the importance of the selection of apple varieties as a crucial factor for the cider-making process to obtain a cider of good sensory and quality properties.

4. Discussion

There are serious economic and quality reasons to certify the authenticity of varieties used in different food commodities. Moreover, as food processing progresses, for example, from apple fruits to ciders, it becomes extremely difficult to distinguish between varieties [13]. In this respect, a volatilomic pattern may be a useful tool to discriminate between food commodities and varieties. The main precursors of VOCs in apple fruits are fatty acids that are catabolized through β-oxidation and the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway, which produce aldehydes, alcohols, and esters. Among these, aldehydes are predominant in immature apples, whereas alcohols and esters prevail in ripe/over-ripe fruits [22]. Regarding the different investigated variables (such as apple variety, ripening stage, and yeast strain), apple variety proved to be the primary attribute influencing the quality and aroma properties of apple ciders [23]. Three sources of VOCs in ciders, namely, apple juices, yeast, and yeast metabolism, were reported [4]. In the current study, the main chemical families of VOCs found in ciders that conferred the fermentation bouquet were esters and alcohols, and aldehydes and ketones to a lesser extent, as previously reported [24]. Regarding the different chemical families of VOCs, esters positively contribute to the aroma profile of ciders, bringing fruity and floral sensory properties [25]. More specifically, ethyl hexanoate (sweet, fruity, pineapple, waxy, fatty, estery, green, and banana odour descriptions) was reported as a VOC that increases in ciders in comparison with apple juices [26]. This VOC was associated with the fermentative process and the involved yeast strains [27], and, together with ethyl decanoate and ethyl octanoate, determines fruity and floral aromas in fermented fruit beverages [9]. However, there are other VOCs, such as 2-hexenal and 1-hexanol, which were described as the main contributors to the green odour of apple fruits and juices [4,28].
Regarding the fermentation process of apple juices, Antón et al. [25] found 3-methyl-1-pentanol to be a VOC that increases its concentration in cider samples from spontaneous fermentation in comparison with ciders from commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This might be justified by yeast species associated with the spontaneous fermentation of both Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Hanseniaspora genus and Metschnikowia pulcherrima) that could affect concentrations of VOCs in ciders [29]. Styrene is another VOC reported in apple brandy and cider, with odour threshold values ranging between 3.6 to 80 µg L−1 [30], and in apple fruits [31]. The formation of this VOC may be because high cinnamic acid content and yeast pitching rate, in combination with open fermentation management, cause quick and increased styrene formation during fermentation, as was previously reported for wheat beer [32]. Thus, styrene may be used as an important indicator to monitor the cider-making process (as well as in beers) and management with food authentication purposes. In contrast, other VOCs were not detected in cider samples, such as toluene, which may be due to the toluene degradation pathway of S. cerevisiae (M00418 KEGG pathway) producing benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde. Both VOCs were found in the current study in ciders. Recently, toluene was reported in apples for the first time [31] and was also identified in apple-juice samples from Madeira as a putative biomarker for the discrimination of the geographical origin of apple juices [13]. Furthermore, the conversion mechanism of benzyl alcohol to toluene in fruit juices was also recently reported [33].
On the other hand, there are VOCs that allow for distinguishing apple varieties. In this sense, (Z,E)-α-farnesene was only identified in 2 varieties (Festa and Branco) about 100 times less than another isomer ((E,E)-α-farnesene) [34]. In this context, in a previous study, (Z,E)-α-farnesene was able to differentiate banana plant cultivars since this VOC was detected in the Pacific plantain cultivar, but not identified in Cavendish cultivar, whereas (E,E)-α-farnesene was detected in both banana cultivars [35]. Hence, (Z,E)-α-farnesene might be used as a putative marker to discriminate apple-fruit varieties for food authenticity purposes. The same applies in the case of linalool, which, in the banana study mentioned above, was only detected in Pacific plantain and, in the current study, was only identified in Branco fruit samples; this VOC showed insect- and disease-control properties [35], with benefits for the quality of apple fruits. Both linalool and estragole could differentiate basil varieties [36]. In addition, 2-nonenal, with waxy and fatty aroma descriptors, was previously used to distinguish among 10 different fresh jujube varieties by HS-SPME/GC–MS coupled with E-nose [37]. Benzothiazole was also identified as a putative marker for distinguishing apple varieties from Madeira in a previous study on apple juices recently carried out by our research group [13].

5. Conclusions

HS–SPME/GC–MS combined with chemometric tools was successfully applied to explore the similarities and differences among apple fruits, juices, and ciders from different apple varieties (Festa, Branco, Domingos). A total of 142 VOCs belonging to different chemical families were identified, namely, 58 esters, 34 alcohols, 19 aldehydes, 10 ketones, 8 terpenoids, 7 acids, 3 sulphur compounds, 1 dioxolane, 1 lactone, and 1 aromatic hydrocarbon. From these, only 9 VOCs were detected in all analysed matrices (fruit, juice, and cider) and in all apple-tested varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos). Moreover, remarkable difference in terms of the qualitative and semiquantitative profiles was observed, which indicated that apple variety has a significant effect on the volatile profile. Esters and alcohols were the dominant chemical families, contributing 48.81%, 56.75%, and 94.04% on average for the total volatile profile of apple fruits, juices, and ciders, respectively. In qualitative terms, butyl butanoate (42), 1-octen-3-one (55), hexyl propanoate (66), butyl hexanoate (75), α-farnesene (122) and 2-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (141) were only detected in apple fruits, whereas butanal (4), 2,4,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane, (7) 1-penten-3-ol (28), 2-penten-1-ol (58), and 2-butoxyethanol (70) were found in juices. On the other hand, methyl octanoate (38), styrene (47), 3-methyl-1-pentanol (62), ethyl 9-decenoate (119), and octanoic acid (139) were detected in all ciders. Moreover, there were VOCs that were of unique variety, such as benzyl alcohol (130) for the Festa, linalool (95) and estragole (113) for the Branco, and decanal (89) and benzothiazole (134) for the Domingos apple varieties. Accordingly, VOCs could be used as authenticity indicators to classify fruits, juices, and ciders according to apple variety, providing local producers with multiple benefits and legal protection against the misuse of the products.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/12/1830/s1. Figure S1. Total ion chromatograms obtained by HS-SPME/GC-qMS analysis of apple fruits, juices, and ciders of the different varieties (Festa, Branco, Domingos).

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.M., R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo), and J.S.C.; methodology, S.M. and R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo); software, S.M. and R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo); validation, S.M. and R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo); formal analysis, S.M.; investigation, S.M. and J.S.C.; resources, R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo) (Regina Pereira) and J.S.C.; data curation, S.M. and R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo); writing—original-draft preparation, S.M.; writing—review and editing, R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo) and J.S.C.; visualization, R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo) and R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo) (Regina Pereira); supervision, S.M. and J.S.C.; project administration, J.S.C. funding acquisition, R.P. (Rosa Perestrelo) (Regina Pereira) and J.S.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (project PEst-OE/QUI/UI0674/2019, CQM, Portuguese government funds), through the Madeira 14–20 Program, project PROEQUIPRAM Reforço do Investimento em Equipamentos e Infraestruturas Científicas na RAM (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000008) by ARDITI-Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, through project M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000005—Centro de Química da Madeira CQM + (Madeira 14–20). SM was supported by the postdoctoral fellowship granted by ARDITI CQM + project (ARDITI-CQM/2017/008-PDG). RP was supported by an FCT postdoctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/97387/2013).

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Direção Regional de Agricultura (Região Autónoma da Madeira, Portugal) for the supply of apple fruits and ciders.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

References

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Figure 1. Bar graphics comparing apple (A) fruit, (B) juice, and (C) cider samples. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among varieties for the same chemical family (E, esters; AL, alcohols; A, aldehydes; K, ketones) at p < 0.05 according to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple-range Tukey test.
Figure 1. Bar graphics comparing apple (A) fruit, (B) juice, and (C) cider samples. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among varieties for the same chemical family (E, esters; AL, alcohols; A, aldehydes; K, ketones) at p < 0.05 according to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple-range Tukey test.
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Figure 2. Relative concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) common to all apple fruits (µg kg−1), juices, and ciders (µg L−1) (n = 3 for each data point).
Figure 2. Relative concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) common to all apple fruits (µg kg−1), juices, and ciders (µg L−1) (n = 3 for each data point).
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Figure 3. Principal-component analysis (PCA) of volatile profile of apple fruits, juices, and ciders based on apple variety (n = 3 for each data point). Peak number attribution shown in Table 1.
Figure 3. Principal-component analysis (PCA) of volatile profile of apple fruits, juices, and ciders based on apple variety (n = 3 for each data point). Peak number attribution shown in Table 1.
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Figure 4. Hierarchical-cluster analysis (HCA). Heat-maps of putative markers identified in apple fruits, juices, and ciders generated by Euclidean distance through Ward agglomerative method (peak number attribution shown in Table 1).
Figure 4. Hierarchical-cluster analysis (HCA). Heat-maps of putative markers identified in apple fruits, juices, and ciders generated by Euclidean distance through Ward agglomerative method (peak number attribution shown in Table 1).
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Table 1. Relative concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified in apple fruits (µg kg−1), juices (µg L−1), and ciders (µg L−1) of different varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectroscopy (HS-SPME/GC–qMS).
Table 1. Relative concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified in apple fruits (µg kg−1), juices (µg L−1), and ciders (µg L−1) of different varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectroscopy (HS-SPME/GC–qMS).
FestaBrancoDomingos
IdRT aCompound NameKI bKI cFruitJuiceCiderFruitJuiceCiderFruitJuiceCider
14.7Acetaldehyde (A) d6296905.7 ± 1.4 Bc12.7 ± 2.4 An.s14.5 ± 1.3 Aa15.8 ± 1.1 Ab11.0 ± 0.3 B n.s8.7 ± 1.7 Bb29.3 ± 3.7 Aa12.7 ± 3.6 B n.s9.1 ± 0.8 Bb
25.92-Propanone (K)8168144.6 ± 0.6 b--11.9 ± 1.8 Aa1.1 ± 0.4 n.s-6.0 ± 0.5 Ab0.9 ± 0.1 B n.s-
36.9Ethyl acetate (E) d87490713.2 ± 3.4 Cb35.0 ± 6.4 Ba145.4 ± 5.7 Ab8.7 ± 0.9 Bb13.1 ± 1.0 Bb334.7 ± 13.2 Aa40.2 ± 8.2 Ba20.9 ± 3.1 Cb75.8 ± 4.7 Ac
46.9Butanal (A)876878-0.8 ± 0.1 b-----1.8 ± 0.3 a-
57.12-Propanol (AL)884885-2.9 ± 0.1 b-2.6 ± 0.5 n.s3.5 ± 0.2 n.sa--1.3 ± 0.04 c-
67.52-Methylbutanal (A) d906914-4.1 ± 0.5-------
77.62,4,5-Trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (D)907967-3.9 ± 0.3 a--1.5 ± 0.07 b----
87.9Ethanol (AL) d92092949.5 ± 7.4 Bb156.7 ± 27.3 Ba4798.6 ± 714.6 Aa17.1 ± 3.3 Bb47.6 ± 2.3 Bb939.7 ± 50.5 Ab158.8 ± 28.3 Ba133.5 ± 32.8 Ba2009.6 ± 207.4 Ab
98.6Pentanal (A) d94393516.5 ± 2.6 a--19.4 ± 3.6 A n.s2.3 ± 0.2 Ba--1.2 ± 0.2 b-
108.7Ethyl propanoate (E) d94995927.9 ± 3.5 Ba99.0 ± 18.6 Aa-3.3 ± 0.1 Cb6.1 ± 0.5 Bb20.0 ± 0.6 A24.5 ± 4.5 Aa8.1 ± 1.3 Bb-
119.1Ethyl 2-methylpropanoate (E)959955-6.6 ± 0.7 a--1.7 ± 0.1 Bb4.2 ± 0.1 A---
129.6Methyl butanoate (E)976982-2.0 ± 0.2 a-1.9 ± 0.4 A1.2 ± 0.1 Bb----
1310.6Isobutyl acetate (E)10061015-----1.9 ± 0.01---
1410.7Methyl 2-methylbutanoate (E)100710332.0 ± 0.4 n.sa2.7 ± 0.4 n.sa-4.0 ± 0.8 n.sa3.4 ± 0.3 n.sa-2.3 ± 0.4 Ab1.0 ± 0.2 Bb-
1510.81-Penten-3-one (K)10111024---7.7 ± 0.5 A2.8 ± 0.2 B----
1611.41-Propanol (AL) d102810372.3 ± 0.3 Bb30.1 ± 6.9 Aa--1.2 ± 0.01 Bb4.9 ± 0.12 Aa3.0 ± 0.06 Aa-1.5 ± 0.2 Bb
1711.6Ethyl butanoate (E) d10311040174.7 ± 17.6 Bb318.0 ± 49.6 Aa29.6 ± 2.9 Ca68.1 ± 0.1 Bc127.2 ± 9.4 Ab11.1 ± 0.3 Cc383.1 ± 26.3 Aa170.1 ± 27.2 Bb16.9 ± 1.5 Cb
1811.9Toluene (ArHC)1039104048.1 ± 7.4 Bc90.1 ± 17.1 Aa-214.8 ± 12.5 Aa46.9 ± 2.5 Bb-80.2 ± 12.3 Ab29.3 ± 0.5 Bb-
1911.9Propyl propanoate (E)103910561.6 ± 0.01 B5.8 ± 0.9 A-------
2012.3Ethyl 2-methylbutanoate (E)10491050170.2 ± 24.8 Ab190.0 ± 26.1 Aa34.2 ± 1.3 Bb59.6 ± 6.8 Bc96.7 ± 6.5 Ac54.0 ± 2.5 Ba351.1 ± 36.4 Aa141.1 ± 11.9 Bb14.6 ± 0.6 Cc
2112.6Butyl acetate (E)10561075-----0.9 ± 0.1 b-0.5 ± 0.1 B3.1 ± 0.1 Aa
2213.4Hexanal (A)10761080116.3 ± 6.4 Bb426.5 ± 55.2 Aa-275.0 ± 42.0 n.sa294.0 ± 14.7 n.sb-69.4 ± 7.9 Bb263.0 ± 33.8 Ab-
2313.82-Methyl-1-propanol (AL) d10851097-15.9 ± 2.33 Ba187.5 ± 16.32 Aa5.8 ± 1.9 Cn.s9.5 ± 1.2 Bb34.3 ± 1.0 Ab6.1 ± 1.4 Bn.s10.4 ± 3.0 Bab34.9 ± 3.3 Ab
2415.12-Methyl-1-butyl acetate (E)11121145-2.6 ± 0.39 a--0.7 ± 0.1 b-1.1 ± 0.2 B1.8 ± 0.5 Ba221.1 ± 6.4 A
2515.6Propyl butanoate (E)1121113510.5 ± 0.9 Ba16.2 ± 1.7 Aa-11.3 ± 1.8 Aa7.1 ± 0.4 Bb-5.1 ± 1.0 Ab3.0 ± 0.5 Bc-
2615.82-Pentenal isomer (A)112611314.9 ± 0.7 b--12.2 ± 2.0 Aa2.3 ± 0.05 B-0.7 ± 0.1 c--
2716.2Ethyl pentanoate (E)113311386.9 ± 0.6 n.sb8.2 ± 0.6 n.s n.s-12.3 ± 2.0 Aa9.7 ± 0.7 An.s1.9 ± 0.1 B5.9 ± 1.1 n.sb7.5 ± 2.2 n.sn.s-
2816.21-Penten-3-ol (AL)11341176----1.7 ± 0.2 a--0.8 ± 0.1 b-
2916.31-Butanol (AL) d1136114520.9 ± 2.1 Bb98.0 ± 15.0 Aa14.5 ± 1.2 Ba12.5 ± 2.1 Bc28.7 ± 1.1 Ab11.4 ± 0.3 Bb43.0 ± 2.6 Aa35.5 ± 2.3 Bb14.7 ± 1.4 Ca
3016.5Propyl-2-methylbutanoate (E)1139115013.9 ± 0.8 ab--16.6 ± 3.5 a--9.3 ± 1.3 Ab5.5 ± 1.1 B0.9 ± 0.1 C
3117.5Ethyl-2-butenoate (E)11571152-3.7 ± 0.6 a--1.1 ± 0.1 b-1.9 ± 0.2 n.s2.1 ± 0.4 n.sb-
3218.0β-Myrcene (T)1165116717.9 ± 1.2 a--15.1 ± 1.3 Ab1.2 ± 0.1 B-2.1 ± 0.3 c--
3318.3Pentyl acetate (E)11691177--------1.3 ± 0.04
3418.3Butyl 2-methylbutanoate (E)11701228------1.0 ± 0.2--
3518.52-Methylpropyl-2-methylbutanoate (E)11731171---2.7 ± 0.03 A1.6 ± 0.1 B----
3618.62-Heptanone (K)11741185-----0.8 ± 0.1 a--0.6 ± 0.02 b
3718.6Heptanal (A)117511865.8 ± 0.2 b--7.8 ± 0.6 Aa1.4 ± 0.1 Ba--0.8 ± 0.1 b-
3818.8Methyl hexanoate (E)117811901.9 ± 0.1 n.s b1.7 ± 0.1 n.sb-10.3 ± 1.0 Aa2.2 ± 0.2 Ba0.5 ± 0.03 Cn.s1.1 ± 0.2 Ab0.4 ± 0.05 Bc0.6 ± 0.1 Bn.s
3919.1Pentyl propanoate (E)11841192-1.1 ± 0.1---1.6 ± 0.1 a--1.2 ± 0.1 b
4019.63-Methyl-1-butanol (AL)11911207132.0 ± 15.3 Bb725.0 ± 120.9 Aa-103.8 ± 4.9 Bb178.8 ± 7.6 Ab-276.0 ± 18.2 Ba197.4 ± 13.9 Bb1439.6 ± 108.9 A
4120.42-Hexenal (A) d12041220225.7 ± 21.0 Bc602.2 ± 62.4 Ab-678.2 ± 4.5 Ba929.9 ± 43.0 Aa-382.6 ± 38.4 n.sb457.3 ± 80.8 n.sb-
4220.5Butyl butanoate (E)120512232.5 ± 0.1 b--3.0 ± 0.1 a-----
4321.5Ethyl hexanoate (E) d12241220162.6 ± 24.5 Bn.s78.3 ± 3.7 Cb975.8 ± 36.7 Aa160.6 ± 10.6 Bn.s96.1 ± 6.1 Ca188.8 ± 8.7 Ac124.5 ± 5.6 Bn.s40.8 ± 3.4 Cc382.3 ± 22.0 Ab
4421.5Ethyl 2-methyl-2-butenoate (E)12261229------3.7 ± 0.6--
4522.01-Pentanol (AL)123412537.0 ± 0.8 Bb20.6 ± 3.1 Aa-9.7 ± 0.5 Ba10.8 ± 0.3 Ab2.4 ± 0.1 Cn.s9.4 ± 0.6 Aa6.2 ± 0.2 Bc3.6 ± 0.8 Cn.s
4622.63-Octanone (K)124412512.3 ± 0.4 n.sb2.0 ± 0.1 n.sb-4.3 ± 0.5 Aa2.2 ± 0.1 Ba----
4722.7Styrene (T)12461241--67.5 ± 4.7 a--8.2 ± 0.5 a--3.7 ± 0.5 b
4823.42-Methylbutyl butanoate (E)125812682.5 ± 0.5 Ba-13.1 ± 0.8 Aa---0.9 ± 0.1 n.sb1.0 ± 0.1 n.s1.1 ± 0.05 n.sb
4923.5Hexyl acetate (E) d126012706.1 ± 0.9 Bb1.2 ± 0.2 Bb363.8 ± 15.1 Aa8.2 ± 0.5 Aa2.7 ± 0.2 Ca4.8 ± 0.2 Bc2.9 ± 0.2 Bc1.2 ± 0.1 Bb218.7 ± 12.3 Ab
5023.8Ethyl 5-hexenoate (E)126512692.3 ± 0.4 b--4.5 ± 0.7 Aa3.3 ± 0.00 B---4.6 ± 0.2
5124.1Amyl isovalerate (E)12701285-1.3 ± 0.03 a-8.0 ± 1.0 A1.2 ± 0.05 Bb----
5224.13-Methyl-2-methylbutyl butanoate (E)127112831.4 ± 0.1 b----0.7 ± 0.014.7 ± 0.5 Ba8.1 ± 1.5 A-
5324.4Octanal (A)127412864.1 ± 0.7 a--5.0 ± 0.5 a--0.8 ± 0.01 Bb1.5 ± 0.05 A0.8 ± 0.15 B
5424.91-Hydroxy-2-propanone (K)1283128415.9 ± 0.8 Ab9.1 ± 2.5 Bb-42.5 ± 16.1 Aa13.9 ± 1.4 Ba0.5 ± 0.1 B21.3 ± 2.1 ab--
5525.01-Octen-3-one (K)128412994.9 ± 0.9 n.s--5.3 ± 1.0 n.s-----
5625.2Ethyl 3-hexenoate (E)12871292--2.6 ± 0.4 a-0.6 ± 0.1 B1.4 ± 0.02 Ab--0.6 ± 0.1 c
5725.24-Methyl-1-pentanol (AL)12881299--5.1 ± 0.9------
5825.52-Penten-1-ol isomer (AL)12921301----4.6 ± 0.8 a--1.3 ± 0.1 b-
5925.63-Hexenyl acetate isomer (E)12941311--8.8 ± 0.5 a-----3.8 ± 0.3 b
6026.02-Heptenal isomer (A)1300133134.3 ± 3.5 n.s--39.0 ± 1.4 An.s4.5 ± 0.1 B----
6126.2Propyl hexanoate (E)13051324-3.1 ± 0.1----2.1 ± 0.02--
6226.43-Methyl-1-pentanol (AL)13071325--8.0 ± 1.4 a--0.9 ± 0.1 b--3.1 ± 0.2 b
6326.8Ethyl-2-hydroxypropanoate (E)13161342-----53.2 ± 2.5---
6427.06-Methyl-5-hepten-2-one (K)1319134037.6 ± 2.4 Ab9.5 ± 0.9 Bb-171.2 ± 23.0 Aa39.8 ± 2.1 Ba-4.0 ± 0.02 Ac2.1 ± 0.1 Bc-
6527.3Ethyl heptanoate (E)13241337--12.6 ± 2.1 n.s-----10.8 ± 1.1 n.s
6627.4Hexyl propanoate (E)132513304.3 ± 0.2 a--3.9 ± 0.2 b-----
6727.91-Hexanol (AL)13351354289.4 ± 17.2 Cb614.0 ± 70.9 Ab412.7 ± 41.1 Ba692.6 ± 20.3 Aa732.9 ± 24.6 Aa174.3 ± 1.1 Bc229.1 ± 37.8 n.sb200.2 ± 3.7 n.sc238.6 ± 10.6 n.sb
6828.43-Hexen-1-ol (AL)13441357-----0.8 ± 0.02 b1.7 ± 0.2B-6.9 ± 0.8 Aa
6929.53-Hexen-1-ol isomer (AL)13641388--19.9 ± 1.7 a-4.0 ± 0.5 B5.1 ± 0.1 Ab--4.9 ± 0.7 b
7030.22-Butoxyethanol (AL)13751391-3.2 ± 0.3 a--0.9 ± 0.1 b----
7130.3Methyl octanoate (E)13761378--21.4 ± 0.9 a--1.2 ± 0.1 c--8.9 ± 1.1 b
7230.3Nonanal (A)137713694.5 ± 0.3 Bb-7.7 ± 0.6 Aa6.4 ± 1.0 Aa-0.3 ± 0.03 Bc3.3 ± 0.1 n.sa3.8 ± 0.8 n.s3.0 ± 0.6 n.sb
7330.72-Hexen-1-ol isomer (AL)1383141027.0 ± 4.8 Aa13.5 ± 1.74 Bb-31.6 ± 2.6 Ba61.4 ± 1.6 Aa-23. ± 4.15 Aa14.8 ± 1.9 Bb-
7430.95-Hexen-1-ol (AL)138813945.8 ± 1.1 Ba17.9 ± 2.1Aa-4.8 ± 0.6 Ba6.3 ± 0.1 Ab----
7531.5Butyl hexanoate (E)139714032.5 ± 0.3 n.s--2.8 ± 0.6n.s--2.0 ± 0.02 n.s--
7631.6Hexyl 2-methylpropanoate (E)139813399.6 ± 0.7--------
7731.7Hexyl butanoate (E)14001419---13.2 ± 2.3 Aa7.5 ± 0.5 B-1.7 ± 0.07 b--
7832.4Hexyl 2-methylbutanoate (E)1414143123.1 ± 1.4 Ab1.4 ± 0.1 Bb-27.6 ± 1.7 Aa5.5 ± 0.6 Ba-6.4 ± 0.01 Ac1.3 ± 0.2 B-
7932.7Ethyl octanoate (E) d141914367.5 ± Ba2.4 ± 0.05 Ba8039.1 ± 578.3 Aa7.1 ± 1.0 Ba-241.4 ± 15.7Ac4.1 ± 0.3 Bb1.3 ± 0.1 Bb2697.2 ± 350.3 Ab
8033.3Acetic acid (AC)1431144758.5 ± 9.9 Ab24.6 ± 6.5 Bn.s-133.6 ± 52.0 Aa26.9 ± 6.1 Bn.s11.2 ± 0.6 B67.0 ± 2.3 b--
8133.51-Heptanol (AL) d14341460-2.9 ± 0.6 Bn.s14.8 ± 1.2 Aa9.3 ± 1.3 A2.7 ± 0.2 Bn.s1.8 ± 0.1 Bb--16.2 ± 1.8 b
8233.62,4-Heptadienal isomer (A)14361497---7.2 ± 0.4 A3.4 ± 0.3 B----
8333.92-Furfural (A)1441147428.3 ± 2.5 Ab21.2 ± 3.7 Bb-190.1 ± 44.4 Aa85.8 ± 20.3 Ba3.2 ± 0.3 C202.3 ± 54.1 Aa6.7 ± 1.7 Bb-
8433.96-Methyl-5-hepten-2-ol (AL)14411468--------10.6 ± 0.6
8534.2Isopentyl hexanoate (E)144814534.1 ± 0.1 Bn.s-47.8 ± 1.1 Aa4.3 ± 0.4 An.s-0.6 ± 0.04 Bc4.2 ± 0.1 Bn.s1.8 ± 0.4 C6.5 ± 0.7 Ab
8635.42-Ethyl 1-hexanol (AL) d1469148416.1 ± 1.4 Aa12.0 ± 0.8 Bn.s14.0 ± 2.1 ABa10.2 ± 1.0 Ab10.8 ± 0.5 An.s7.5 ± 0.1 Bb---
8736.0Formic acid (AC)14791487---24.4 ± 8.5 A11.8 ± 1.1 B----
8836.12-Acetylfuran (K)14811482---11.5 ± 2.9 A n.s3.0 ± 0.4 B-16.3 ± 2.6 n.s--
8936.2Decanal (A)14831502-------4.3 ± 0.6 B6.7 ± 0.6 A
9036.8Ethyl 3-hydroxy-butanoate (E) d14921524-9.2 ± 0.7 a-----3.5 ± 0.3 Ab1.5 ± 0.2 B
9137.02-Nonanol (AL)14961528--------1.3 ± 0.1
9237.1Benzaldehyde (A) d14981495-1.9 ± 0.3 B20.2 ± 1.1 A33.9 ± 3.0 A2.7 ± 0.3 B----
9337.4Dihydro-2-methyl-3(2H)-thiophenone (SC)15041510--------6.7 ±0.6
9437.52-Nonenal isomer (A)15061530---2.8 ± 0.3 A0.7 ± 0.1 B----
9537.9Linalool (AL)15141554---2.3 ± 0.2-----
9638.3Ethyl nonanoate (E)15221528--22.5 ± 1.2 a--4.1 ± 0.2 c--8.3 ± 0.3 b
9739.01-Octanol (AL) d153515263.0 ± 0.4 Bns-24.0 ± 2.0 Aa3.3 ± 0.5 An.s1.1 ± 0.05 B2.8 ± 0.1 Ab--5.3 ± 0.1 b
9839.4Isobutyl caprylate (E)15431561--7.8 ± 0.2 a-----2.0 ± 0.2 b
9939.4Ethyl 3-methylthiopropionate (E)15481560--------1.4 ± 0.1
10039.75-Methyl-2-furfural (A)15491559-2.1 ± 0.7 b-24.5 ± 2.4 Aa12.0 ± 3.2 Ba-6.0 ± 1.9 b--
10141.34-Carvomenthenol (AL)15791598-2.7 ± 0.3 Ba23.6 ± 2.1 Aa-0.9 ± 0.03 b---16.8 ± 1.3 b
10241.45-Octen-1-ol isomer (AL)15811610-2.1 ± 0.1 b--2.5 ± 0.1 Aa0.8 ± 0.02 B---
10341.72-Isopropyl-2-methylanisole (AL)15871611--------2.1 ± 0.4
10441.9Butanoic acid (AC)15901581-----2.4 ± 0.1---
10541.92-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethanol (AL)15901579------2.8 ± 0.3--
10642.2Hexyl hexanoate (E)159515999.7 ± 9.6 a--12.1 ± 1.1 Aa1.1 ± 0.02 B-1.9 ± 0.3 b--
10742.3Ethyl 2-furoate (E)15971621--5.8 ± 0.2 a-----1.4 ± 0.2 b
10842.7Allyl methyl sulphide (SC)1605---------1.4 ± 0.1
10943.4Phenylacetaldehyde (A)16191624-18.8 ± 2.3-------
11043.6Ethyl decanoate (E) d16241636--1341.5 ± 22.5 a--47.3 ± 4.0 c--905.1 ± 55.4 b
11143.92-Furanmethanol (AL)163016238.8 ± 1.2 b7.6 ± 2.1 a-60.9 ± 5.9 Aa9.1 ± 2.6 Ba0.4 ± 0.01 B16.6 ± 1.6 Ab1.4 ± 0.2 Bb-
11244.21-Nonanol (AL)16371662--14.8 ± 0.6 a--0.7 ± 0.1 b---
11344.4Estragole (T)16401661---4.4 ± 0.4-----
11444.6Ethyl benzoate (E)16451653--70.7 ± 5.8 a-----40.0 ± 2.9 b
11544.72-Methylbutanoic acid (AC)16471674-3.9 ± 0.6 b-152.9 ± 5.3 Ba181.6 ± 7.4Aa62.7 ± 5.8 C4.8 ± 0.4 b--
11644.83-Methylbutyl octanoate (E)16471658--85.7 ± 0.8------
11744.9Diethyl butanedioate (E)16481679--24.9 ± 4.8 a--10.6 ± 1.0 b--6.5 ± 0.4 b
11845.34-Methoxystyrene (T)16581688---4.2 ± 0.1----2.2 ± 0.4
11946.0Ethyl-9-decenoate (E)16721694--756.3 ± 26.0 b--13.5 ± 1.1 c--964.1 ± 106.1 a
12046.83-(Methylthio)-1-propanol (AL)16871686--8.4 ± 1.2 a--1.7 ± 0.1 b--8.8 ± 1.7 a
12148.0α-Farnesene isomer (T)171017214.4 ± 0.8 b--12.8 ± 2.1 a-----
12249.1α-Farnesene (T)17331725260.6 ± 36.1 b--819.8 ± 162.3 Aa9.4 ± 0.7 Ba-24.4 ± 3.9 Ab2.7 ± 0.5 Bb-
12349.3Citronellol (T)17361754--------5.2 ± 0.5
12450.3Ethyl benzeneacetate (E)17561763--11.1 ± 1.2 b--3.7 ± 0.2 c2.8 ± 0.1 B3.3 ± 0.3 B17.1 ± 1.4 Aa
12551.72-Phenylethyl acetate (E)17831785--166.0 ± 13.7 a--2.7 ± 0.1 c--106.2 ± 10.9 b
12652.2β-Damascenone (T)17931806--17.8 ± 0.6 a-----13.2 ± 1.2 b
12753.1Hexanoic acid (AC)1815184911.3 ± 1.5 Ba6.1 ± 0.8 Bb89.6 ± 4.7 Ab12.6 ± 0.7 Ba14.5 ± 1.0 Ba46.7 ± 5.7 Ac2.1 ± 0.2 Bb-119.0 ± 9.4 Aa
12853.5Ethyl dodecanoate (E)18231847--51.7 ± 9.1 a-----17.4 ± 1.9 b
12953.7Geranylacetone (K)18281840--------2.0 ± 0.2
13054.2Benzyl alcohol (AL)18411822--6.9 ± 0.5------
13154.33-Methylbutyl pentadecanoate (E)1844---10.4 ± 1.3------
13255.82-Phenylethanol (AL) d187918597.9 ± 1.1 Bb13.9 ± 1.7 Ba1400.8 ± 260.9 Aa14.4 ± 2.1 Ba9.8 ± 1.6 Bb93.3 ± 7.6 Ac-1.6 ± 0.3 Bc548.4 ± 46.2 Ab
13357.3Ethyl 3-hydroxyhexanoate (E)1913--4.9 ± 0.7 b-----2.6 ± 0.5 Bb5.5 ± 0.7 A
13458.0Benzothiazole (SC)19291952-------2.3 ± 0.3-
13558.82,5-Furandicarboxaldehyde (A)19481996---14.2 ± 0.7 b--24.5 ± 1.4 a--
13660.0Isopentyl-phenyl acetate (E)19761991-------1.2 ± 0.2 B4.0 ± 0.6 A
13761.24-Ethyl 2-methoxyphenol (AL)20002020--524.0 ± 35.2a-----91.7 ± 16.2 b
13861.6Nerolidol (AL)20022025--------2.7 ± 0.3
13962.6Octanoic acid (AC)20082050--508.1 ± 35.1 a--122.2 ± 9.9 c--238.2 ± 23.8 b
14063.41,3-Dihydroxy-2-propanone (K)2012206816.6 ± 0.7 Bb19.8 ± 0.2 Aa-84.3 ± 18.2 Aa9.8 ± 0.1 Bb-16.5 ± 0.9 b--
14166.62-Hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (L)2028----26.6 ± 3.9 a--12.7 ± 1.1 b--
14269.7Hexadecanoic acid (AC)20432009263.5 ± 23.7 a--49.9 ± 16.1 Ab8.0 ± 0.6 B----
(A), aldehyde; (AC), acid; (AL), alcohol; (ArHC), aromatic hydrocarbon; (D), dioxolane; (E), ester; (K), ketone; (L), lactone; (SC), sulphur compound; (T), terpenoid. a Retention time (min). b Kovats index relative to n-alkanes (C8 to C20) on a BP-20 capillary column. c Kovats index relative reported in the literature for equivalent capillary column [1,21] and databases available online (The Pherobase and Flavornet). d Identified using pure standards (at concentration of 2.94 µg L−1). -, not detected; n.s, not significant. Mean concentration of 3 replicates relative to internal standard (3-octanol). Data shown as mean ± SD. Different lowercase letters in a row are significantly different among varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos) of the same matrix; different uppercase letters in a row represent statistically significant differences among different matrices (fruit, juice, and cider) of the same variety obtained by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple test at p < 0.05 level.
Table 2. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified only in specific apple varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos).
Table 2. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified only in specific apple varieties (Festa, Branco, and Domingos).
FestaBrancoDomingos
Propyl propanoate (19) a (F, J)
Hexyl 2-methylpropanoate (76) (F)
Phenylacetaldehyde (109) (J)
3-Methylbutyl octanoate (116) (C)
Benzyl alcohol (130) (C)
3-Methylbutyl pentadecanoate (131) (C)
2-Methylpropyl-2-methylbutanoate (35) (F, J)
2,4-Heptadienal isomer (A) (82) (F, J)
Formic acid (87) (F, J)
2-Nonenal isomer (94) (F, J)
Linalool (95) (F)
Butanoic acid (104) (C)
Estragole (113) (F)
Pentyl acetate (34) (C)
Butyl 2-methylbutanoate (34) (F)
Ethyl 2-methyl-2-butenoate (44) (F)
6-Methyl-5-hepten-2-ol (AL) (84) (C)
Decanal (A) (89) (J, C)
2-Nonanol (AL) (91) (C)
Dihydro-2-methyl-3(2H)-thiophenone (93) (C)
Ethyl 3-methylthiopropionate (99) (C)
2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethanol (105) (F)
Allyl methyl sulphide (108) (C)
Citronellol (123) (C)
Geranylacetone (129) (C)
Benzothiazole (134) (J)
Isopentyl-phenyl acetate (136) (J, C)
Nerolidol (138) (C)
(C), cider; (F), fruit; (J), juice. a Numbers in brackets match with numbers assigned for VOCs listed in Table 1.
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Medina, S.; Perestrelo, R.; Pereira, R.; Câmara, J.S. Evaluation of Volatilomic Fingerprint from Apple Fruits to Ciders: A Useful Tool to Find Putative Biomarkers for Each Apple Variety. Foods 2020, 9, 1830. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9121830

AMA Style

Medina S, Perestrelo R, Pereira R, Câmara JS. Evaluation of Volatilomic Fingerprint from Apple Fruits to Ciders: A Useful Tool to Find Putative Biomarkers for Each Apple Variety. Foods. 2020; 9(12):1830. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9121830

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Medina, Sonia, Rosa Perestrelo, Regina Pereira, and José S. Câmara. 2020. "Evaluation of Volatilomic Fingerprint from Apple Fruits to Ciders: A Useful Tool to Find Putative Biomarkers for Each Apple Variety" Foods 9, no. 12: 1830. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9121830

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