Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS

Flavor is one of the crucial factors that influences the quality and consumer acceptance of baijiu. In this study, we analyzed the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of five different quality grades of Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB), fermented during the summer of 2024, using 2D gas chromatography...

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Main Authors: Dongliang Shao, Wei Cheng, Chao Jiang, Tianquan Pan, Na Li, Mengmeng Li, Ruilong Li, Wei Lan, Xianfeng Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1714
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author Dongliang Shao
Wei Cheng
Chao Jiang
Tianquan Pan
Na Li
Mengmeng Li
Ruilong Li
Wei Lan
Xianfeng Du
author_facet Dongliang Shao
Wei Cheng
Chao Jiang
Tianquan Pan
Na Li
Mengmeng Li
Ruilong Li
Wei Lan
Xianfeng Du
author_sort Dongliang Shao
collection DOAJ
description Flavor is one of the crucial factors that influences the quality and consumer acceptance of baijiu. In this study, we analyzed the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of five different quality grades of Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB), fermented during the summer of 2024, using 2D gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOF-MS). We employed machine-learning (ML)-based classification and prediction models to evaluate the flavor. For TW, the scores of the sensory evaluation for coordination and overall evaluation were the highest. TW contained the highest concentration of ethyl caproate; we detected 965 VOCs in total, including several pyrazine compounds with potential health benefits. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) enabled us to distinguish different samples, with eight VOCs emerging as primary contributors to the aroma of the samples, possessing variable importance in projection (VIP) values > 1. Furthermore, we tested eight ML models; random forest (RF) demonstrated the best classification performance, effectively discriminating samples based on their VOC profiles. The key VOC contributors that showed quality-grade specificity included 1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and ethyl 5-methylhexanoate. The results elucidate the flavor-based features of NXB and provide a valuable reference for discriminating and predicting baijiu flavors.
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spelling doaj-art-84ef9d1e87e04bee812d8492376d182f2025-08-20T03:14:34ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011410171410.3390/foods14101714Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MSDongliang Shao0Wei Cheng1Chao Jiang2Tianquan Pan3Na Li4Mengmeng Li5Ruilong Li6Wei Lan7Xianfeng Du8School of Food and Nutrition, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaAnhui WenWang Brewery Co., Ltd., Fuyang 236400, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaSchool of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, ChinaSchool of Food and Nutrition, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaFlavor is one of the crucial factors that influences the quality and consumer acceptance of baijiu. In this study, we analyzed the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of five different quality grades of Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB), fermented during the summer of 2024, using 2D gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOF-MS). We employed machine-learning (ML)-based classification and prediction models to evaluate the flavor. For TW, the scores of the sensory evaluation for coordination and overall evaluation were the highest. TW contained the highest concentration of ethyl caproate; we detected 965 VOCs in total, including several pyrazine compounds with potential health benefits. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) enabled us to distinguish different samples, with eight VOCs emerging as primary contributors to the aroma of the samples, possessing variable importance in projection (VIP) values > 1. Furthermore, we tested eight ML models; random forest (RF) demonstrated the best classification performance, effectively discriminating samples based on their VOC profiles. The key VOC contributors that showed quality-grade specificity included 1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and ethyl 5-methylhexanoate. The results elucidate the flavor-based features of NXB and provide a valuable reference for discriminating and predicting baijiu flavors.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1714Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB)volatile organic compounds (VOCs)characteristic componentsmachine learningdiscrimination and prediction of flavor
spellingShingle Dongliang Shao
Wei Cheng
Chao Jiang
Tianquan Pan
Na Li
Mengmeng Li
Ruilong Li
Wei Lan
Xianfeng Du
Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
Foods
Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB)
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
characteristic components
machine learning
discrimination and prediction of flavor
title Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
title_full Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
title_fullStr Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
title_full_unstemmed Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
title_short Machine-Learning-Assisted Aroma Profile Prediction in Five Different Quality Grades of Nongxiangxing Baijiu Fermented During Summer Using Sensory Evaluation Combined with GC×GC–TOF-MS
title_sort machine learning assisted aroma profile prediction in five different quality grades of nongxiangxing baijiu fermented during summer using sensory evaluation combined with gc gc tof ms
topic Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXB)
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
characteristic components
machine learning
discrimination and prediction of flavor
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1714
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