Revelation for the Influence Mechanism of Long-Chain Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters on the Baijiu Quality by Multicomponent Chemometrics Combined with Modern Flavor Sensomics

Abstract

Long-chain fatty acid ethyl ester (LCFAEEs) is colorless and has a weak wax and cream aroma. It can be used as an intermediate for the synthesis of emulsifiers, and stabilizers and be applied in the production of flavor essence. It is also an important trace component in Baijiu and is attributed to making a contribution to the quality of Baijiu, but its distribution in Baijiu has not been clear, and its influence mechanisms on Baijiu quality have not been systematically studied. Therefore, the distribution of LCFAEEs for Baijiu in different years (2014, 2015, 2018, and 2022), different grades (premium, excellent, and level 1; note: here Baijiu grade classification was based on Chinese standard (GB/T 10781) and enterprise classification standard), and different sun exposure times (0, 6, 12, 20, 30, and 50 days) was uncovered. Thus, in this study, the effect of LCFAEEs on the quality of Baijiu was comprehensively and objectively proven by combining modern flavor sensomics and multicomponent chemometrics. The results showed that with the increase in Baijiu storage time, the concentration of LCFAEEs increased significantly in Baijiu (4.38–196.95 mg/L, p p p p r > 0.7). Based on the above, LCFAEEs are critical factors for Baijiu flavor thus, it is essential to explore a suitable concentration of LCFAEEs in Baijiu to make Baijiu’s quality more ideal.

Keywords

• Baijiu
• long-chain fatty acid ethyl ester
• softness
• aroma characteristics
• modern flavor sensomics