Food Quality Monitoring Through Flavor Assessment

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Analytical Methods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2025 | Viewed by 371

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Molecular Sensory Science, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
Interests: food-flavor chemistry; food additives
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flavor is an important index in food processing and storage, and, therefore, is often used as a tool for food quality control. GC-MS (gas chromatography), GC-O (gas chromatography–olfactometry), OAV, AEDA, LC-MS, TAV, etc., are important techniques for the identification of key flavor compounds. Additionally, some intelligent techniques, such as those involving E-nose and E-tongue procedures, along with some computational approaches, such as molecular docking/molecular simulation, are being employed more and more frequently to reveal the nature of flavor compounds and their perception mechanisms.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research in flavor assessment for food quality monitoring. We invite contributions from researchers and industry professionals who are actively exploring innovative methodologies and applications in this field. Whether with the development of new analytical techniques, the use of intelligent sensors, or the elucidation of flavor perception mechanisms, we seek to highlight the latest advancements pushing the boundaries of food quality control.

Join us in this endeavor to advance the understanding and application of flavor science, ultimately enhancing food quality and consumer satisfaction.

Prof. Dr. Huanlu Song
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aroma-active compounds
  • GC-O
  • taste-active compounds
  • fraction

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1607 KiB  
Article
Study of Aroma Characteristics and Establishment of Flavor Molecular Labels in Fermented Milks from Different Fermentation Strains
by Rui Xu, Long Tang, Xing Gao, Xiaomo Han, Chen Liu and Huanlu Song
Foods 2025, 14(13), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14132237 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 297
Abstract
The aroma of fermented milk products is a key determinant of consumer preference. This study investigates the impact of different lactic acid strains on the aroma characteristics of fermented milk, identifies key volatile compounds, and establishes odor molecule labels to guide strain selection [...] Read more.
The aroma of fermented milk products is a key determinant of consumer preference. This study investigates the impact of different lactic acid strains on the aroma characteristics of fermented milk, identifies key volatile compounds, and establishes odor molecule labels to guide strain selection and modification. Sensory evaluation, dynamic headspace sampling (DHS), and gas chromatography olfactometry–mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) were used to analyze 23 milk samples prepared with various lactic acid bacteria strains. A total of 74 volatile compounds were identified by GC-O-MS. Fermented milk P4 had the highest total volatile compound content (1566.50 ng/g). Flavor profiles were found to depend on strain metabolism rather than specific genera, with fermentation flavor quality enhanced by strains containing 2,3-butanedione, acetic acid, and sulfur compounds. Four distinct flavor clusters were established through molecular labels. These results provide targeted guidance for industrial strain selection and modification in fermented milk production, enhancing sensory appeal and consumer acceptance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Quality Monitoring Through Flavor Assessment)
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