The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors

Volatile chemicals containing nitrogen and sulfur as key odors in dry-cured meat products have extremely low odor thresholds. These compounds play an important part in the overall uniqueness and characteristic flavor of dry-cured meat products, contributing to savory and toasted aroma sensations, re...

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Main Authors: Lei Li, Carmela Belloch, Mónica Flores
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/881
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author Lei Li
Carmela Belloch
Mónica Flores
author_facet Lei Li
Carmela Belloch
Mónica Flores
author_sort Lei Li
collection DOAJ
description Volatile chemicals containing nitrogen and sulfur as key odors in dry-cured meat products have extremely low odor thresholds. These compounds play an important part in the overall uniqueness and characteristic flavor of dry-cured meat products, contributing to savory and toasted aroma sensations, respectively. In this review, we define the different volatiles and aroma compounds related to the flavor of dry-cured meat products. Moreover, the main differences regarding volatiles, aromas, and flavor profiles from non-fermented and fermented dry-cured meat products are summarized. Comparisons using the same volatile extraction techniques revealed that dry loins contained the most sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds, while complex flavor and aroma compounds in fermented sausages were greatly impacted by the fermentation process. The screening and quantification of savory and toasted odors showed that methionol, dimethyl sulfide, and 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan were mainly reported in non-fermented products, whereas pyrazines were mainly detected in fermented meat products. Finally, the different mechanisms in the generation of savory and toasted aromas, including chemical reactions and biochemical reactions by microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and molds), are discussed. These discussions will help to better understand the complex flavor of dry-cured meat products.
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spelling doaj-art-fbba9ff53fe24690b30bc5f81b4caed02025-08-20T02:53:22ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-03-0114588110.3390/foods14050881The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted OdorsLei Li0Carmela Belloch1Mónica Flores2Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), Agustín Escardino Avenue 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, SpainInstitute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), Agustín Escardino Avenue 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, SpainInstitute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), Agustín Escardino Avenue 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, SpainVolatile chemicals containing nitrogen and sulfur as key odors in dry-cured meat products have extremely low odor thresholds. These compounds play an important part in the overall uniqueness and characteristic flavor of dry-cured meat products, contributing to savory and toasted aroma sensations, respectively. In this review, we define the different volatiles and aroma compounds related to the flavor of dry-cured meat products. Moreover, the main differences regarding volatiles, aromas, and flavor profiles from non-fermented and fermented dry-cured meat products are summarized. Comparisons using the same volatile extraction techniques revealed that dry loins contained the most sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds, while complex flavor and aroma compounds in fermented sausages were greatly impacted by the fermentation process. The screening and quantification of savory and toasted odors showed that methionol, dimethyl sulfide, and 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan were mainly reported in non-fermented products, whereas pyrazines were mainly detected in fermented meat products. Finally, the different mechanisms in the generation of savory and toasted aromas, including chemical reactions and biochemical reactions by microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and molds), are discussed. These discussions will help to better understand the complex flavor of dry-cured meat products.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/881aromasavorytoasteddry-cured meatfermented
spellingShingle Lei Li
Carmela Belloch
Mónica Flores
The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
Foods
aroma
savory
toasted
dry-cured meat
fermented
title The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
title_full The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
title_fullStr The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
title_full_unstemmed The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
title_short The Aroma of Non-Fermented and Fermented Dry-Cured Meat Products: Savory and Toasted Odors
title_sort aroma of non fermented and fermented dry cured meat products savory and toasted odors
topic aroma
savory
toasted
dry-cured meat
fermented
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/881
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