Dynamic evolution of volatile compounds during cold storage of sturgeon fillets analyzed by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry and chemometric methods

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 1;464(Pt 2):141741. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141741. Epub 2024 Oct 21.

Abstract

This study investigated the changes in quality and volatile flavoring compounds in sturgeon fillets during refrigeration. Potential flavor compounds were identified using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and gas chromatography- ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results showed that TVB-N content, TBARS values, total colony counts, and K-value increased with prolonged refrigeration, reaching spoilage thresholds after approximately eight days. A total of 33 volatile compounds (including monomers and dimers) were detected in sturgeon fillets during different refrigeration periods, including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, acids, esters, ethers, and other compounds. OPLS-DA further revealed flavor differences in sturgeon fillets across different refrigeration stages, identifying 18 distinct volatile compounds. Correlation analysis showed that trans-2-Pentenal, 2-methylpropanal, and glutaraldehyde were associated with pleasant odor to the frozen sturgeon fillets in the early stage, while hexane nitrile and thiazole were the main substances that caused unpleasant odors.

Keywords: Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry; Quality; Refrigeration; Sturgeon fillets; Volatile compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fishes*
  • Flavoring Agents / chemistry
  • Food Preservation / methods
  • Food Storage*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry*
  • Ion Mobility Spectrometry* / methods
  • Odorants* / analysis
  • Refrigeration
  • Seafood* / analysis
  • Taste
  • Volatile Organic Compounds* / analysis
  • Volatile Organic Compounds* / chemistry

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Flavoring Agents