Effects of glycosidases and GSH pretreatments, fermentation temperatures, and aging time on the physicochemical, organic acids, and aroma profiles of perry.

Abstract

The lack of sufficient flavour in perry represents a barrier to its further industrialization. This study aimed to investigate the effects of glutathione (GSH), β-glucosidase (Glu), and α-L-rhamnosidase (Rha) pretreatments, the fermentation temperature from 16 °C to 28 °C, and the aging time of 1, 2, and 3 years (PA1, PA2, and PA3) on the physicochemical properties, organic acids, and aroma profiles were investigated. The results demonstrated that the synergistic effect of Glu, Rha, and GSH was more effective than their individual or paired applications in enhancing the varietal aromas. The contents of terpenes, phenols, acetate and ethyl esters in the Glu + Rha + GSH treatment were significantly increased in comparison to the control, with improvements of 60.77 %, 118.64 %, 77.02 %, and 32.82 %, respectively. The OAV flavor profile showed rich floral, fruity, and citrus aromas. The contents of tartaric acid and quinic acid decreased from 16 °C to 28 °C, whereas lactic acid was the opposite. Except for phenethyl acetate and ethyl decanoate, the contents of acetate and ethyl esters exhibited a decline at elevated temperatures, whereas isopentanol and phenylethyl alcohol increased. The contents of esters and phenols at 16 °C increased significantly, whereas those of alcohols decreased. This contributed to banana, floral, fruity, orange peel, and spices aromas to the fermentation aromas. The difference in organic acid profiles between PA3 and PA1, PA2 were obvious, the contents of acetic acid and citric acid in PA3 decreased significantly, whereas those of tartaric acid, L-malic acid, and lactic acid increased. The contents and proportions of acetate and medium-chain fatty acid ethyl esters decreased from PA1 to PA3, while the ethyl esters resulted from esterification reactions increased, and the contents of alcohols and acids constituents were different between the three years. The contents of esters, phenols, and total volatiles increased significantly, while the aging aroma was markedly enhanced in PA3. It can be concluded that the Glu + Rha + GSH pretreatment, fermentation at 16 °C, and aging for three years exhibited the great aroma potential of perry, which enhanced the flavor intensity through the regulation of varietal, fermentation, and aging aromas.