During frying Maillard reaction

Chang et al. [73] and Nawar et al. [74] have identified many of the volatiles formed during deep fat frying. They have found numerous acids, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, ketones, lactones, esters, aromatics, and a few miscellaneous compounds (e.g., pentylfuran and 1,4-dioxane) as products of deep fat frying. More recently, Wagner and Grosch [75] have studied the key contributors to French fry aroma. The list of key aroma compounds in French fries includes 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, (E,Z), (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, methylpropanal, 2- and 3-methylbutanal, and methanethiol. If one examines this list, it is obvious that the Maillard reaction (pyrazines, branched chain aldeydes, furanones, and methional), and lipid oxidation (nnsaturated aldehydes) are the primary sources of this characteristic aroma. 

Reactions at elevated temperatures are important during the preparation of food. Frying, roasting, boiling and baking develop the typical aromas of many foods in which amino acids participate as precursors. Studies with food and model systems have shown that the characteristic odorants are formed via the Maillard reaction and that they are subsequent products, in particular of cysteine, methionine, ornithine and proline (cf. 12.9.3). 

Removal of glucose during the production of egg powder using glucose oxidase (cf. 11.4.3) prevents the Maillard reaction responsible for discoloration of the product and deterioration of its whippability. Similar use of glucose oxidase for some meat and protein products would enhance the golden-yellow color rather than the brown color of potato chips or French fries which is obtained in the presence of excess glucose. 

Aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, their esters and other transformation products of amino acid are important food volatiles. Aldehydes and fusel oil alcohols formed during alcoholic fermentation are important flavour-active compounds of alcoholic beverages. Esters of carboxylic acids are important flavour constituents of many foods, especially fruits, alcoholic beverages and dairy products. Aldehydes are also formed in the Maillard reaction during cooking, baking, frying and other thermal operations. 

Amino acid analysis confirmed that Maillard browning reactions occurred during the frying process, since basic amino acids such as lysine and arginine decreased significantly, whereas all others decreased only slightly (Table I). 

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