Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages

With the increasing popularity of traditional Chinese sausages both domestically and internationally, the flavor characteristics of sausages have become an important topic in food science research. However, comparative studies on the flavor differences between different types of traditional Chinese...

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Main Authors: Xuemei Cai, Yi Zeng, Kaixian Zhu, Yiqin Peng, Pei Xv, Ping Dong, Mingfeng Qiao, Wenjiao Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1982
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author Xuemei Cai
Yi Zeng
Kaixian Zhu
Yiqin Peng
Pei Xv
Ping Dong
Mingfeng Qiao
Wenjiao Fan
author_facet Xuemei Cai
Yi Zeng
Kaixian Zhu
Yiqin Peng
Pei Xv
Ping Dong
Mingfeng Qiao
Wenjiao Fan
author_sort Xuemei Cai
collection DOAJ
description With the increasing popularity of traditional Chinese sausages both domestically and internationally, the flavor characteristics of sausages have become an important topic in food science research. However, comparative studies on the flavor differences between different types of traditional Chinese sausages are still limited. This study aimed to systematically compare the flavor profiles of three representative types of traditional Chinese sausages (Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala sausages), with 20 samples randomly selected from one batch of 100 sausages per type produced in December 2024, using a combination of headspace gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), amino acid analysis, electronic sensory analysis, and sensory evaluation techniques. Sensory evaluation revealed that Mala sausage exhibited a strong and numbing flavor. Cantonese sausage was characterized by sweet and alcoholic notes, while Five-Spice sausage displayed a more subtle and gentle flavor profile. A total of 39 volatile compounds were identified, with 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-butanone, and butanal being the most abundant across all samples. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) further pinpointed (+)-limonene, (Z)-ocimene, α-terpinene, β-myrcene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, 2-pentanol, 2-octanone, and 1-hexanal as the key differential compounds responsible for the distinct flavor characteristics of each sausage type. Additionally, the free amino acid content in Mala sausage was significantly higher than that in the others, with glutamic acid and proline playing pivotal roles in shaping the taste profiles. These findings provide valuable theoretical and technical insights for the identification and control of flavor in sausage production, offering a scientific basis for guiding consumer preferences in sausages’ selection.
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issn 2304-8158
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-5a5267afec8743f2bc5f2b87ef991e072025-08-20T03:46:49ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011411198210.3390/foods14111982Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala SausagesXuemei Cai0Yi Zeng1Kaixian Zhu2Yiqin Peng3Pei Xv4Ping Dong5Mingfeng Qiao6Wenjiao Fan7Cuisine Science Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCollage of Culinary and Food Science and Engineering, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCuisine Science Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCuisine Science Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCollage of Culinary and Food Science and Engineering, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCollage of Culinary and Food Science and Engineering, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCuisine Science Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaCollage of Culinary and Food Science and Engineering, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, ChinaWith the increasing popularity of traditional Chinese sausages both domestically and internationally, the flavor characteristics of sausages have become an important topic in food science research. However, comparative studies on the flavor differences between different types of traditional Chinese sausages are still limited. This study aimed to systematically compare the flavor profiles of three representative types of traditional Chinese sausages (Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala sausages), with 20 samples randomly selected from one batch of 100 sausages per type produced in December 2024, using a combination of headspace gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), amino acid analysis, electronic sensory analysis, and sensory evaluation techniques. Sensory evaluation revealed that Mala sausage exhibited a strong and numbing flavor. Cantonese sausage was characterized by sweet and alcoholic notes, while Five-Spice sausage displayed a more subtle and gentle flavor profile. A total of 39 volatile compounds were identified, with 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-butanone, and butanal being the most abundant across all samples. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) further pinpointed (+)-limonene, (Z)-ocimene, α-terpinene, β-myrcene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, 2-pentanol, 2-octanone, and 1-hexanal as the key differential compounds responsible for the distinct flavor characteristics of each sausage type. Additionally, the free amino acid content in Mala sausage was significantly higher than that in the others, with glutamic acid and proline playing pivotal roles in shaping the taste profiles. These findings provide valuable theoretical and technical insights for the identification and control of flavor in sausage production, offering a scientific basis for guiding consumer preferences in sausages’ selection.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1982gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)free amino acidsCantonese sausageFive-Spice sausageMala sausage
spellingShingle Xuemei Cai
Yi Zeng
Kaixian Zhu
Yiqin Peng
Pei Xv
Ping Dong
Mingfeng Qiao
Wenjiao Fan
Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
Foods
gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)
free amino acids
Cantonese sausage
Five-Spice sausage
Mala sausage
title Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
title_full Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
title_fullStr Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
title_short Characterization of the Quality and Flavor in Chinese Sausage: Comparison Between Cantonese, Five-Spice, and Mala Sausages
title_sort characterization of the quality and flavor in chinese sausage comparison between cantonese five spice and mala sausages
topic gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)
free amino acids
Cantonese sausage
Five-Spice sausage
Mala sausage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1982
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