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Article|26 Feb 2024|OPEN
Diversity of flavour characteristics of table grapes and their contributing volatile compounds analysed by the solvent-assisted flavour evaporation method
Kazuki Moriyama1 , Atsushi Kono2,3 , Ryusuke Matsuzaki2 , Akifumi Azuma2,4 , Noriyuki Onoue2 and Yoshihiko Sekozawa5 , Akihiko Sato2,6 , Sumiko Sugaya,5 ,
1Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
2Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 301-2 Mitsu, Akitsu, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-2494, Japan
3Present address: Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, NARO, 2-1 Fujimoto, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8605, Japan
4Present address: Department of Intellectual Property, NARO, 3-1-1 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8517, Japan
5Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
6Present address: Experimental Farm, Kindai University, 2355-2 Yuasa, Yuasa, Wakayama 643-0004, Japan
*Corresponding author. E-mail: sugaya.sumiko.fw@u.tsukuba.ac.jp

Horticulture Research 11,
Article number: uhae048 (2024)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae048
Views: 1367

Received: 08 Oct 2023
Accepted: 07 Feb 2024
Published online: 26 Feb 2024

Abstract

To identify the compounds that contribute to the diverse flavours of table grapes, the flavours and volatile compounds of 38 grape cultivars harvested over 3 years are evaluated through sensory analysis and solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE). The cultivars are characterized and grouped into seven clusters by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) using sensory evaluation data with a flavour wheel specific to table grapes. These clusters were similar to conventional flavour classifications, except that the foxy and neutral cultivars form multiple clusters, highlighting the flavour diversity of table grapes. The SAFE method provides a comprehensive profile of the volatile compounds, including slightly volatile compounds whose profiles are lacking in hybrid grapes and Vitis rotundifolia. The sensory evaluation is supported by the volatile compound profiles, and relationships between the datasets are clarified by multivariate analysis. Specific accumulations and combinations of compounds (α-pinene, β-pinene, phenylethyl alcohol, furaneol, mesifurane, methyl N-formylanthranilate, and mixed ethyl ester and monoterpenoid) were also identified that contribute to the diversity of flavours (fresh green, floral, fruity, fatty green, sweet, fermented/sour) in table grapes, including linalool and linalool analogues (muscat flavour) along with ethyl ester and hydroxyethyl esters (foxy flavour). The accumulation of these compounds was positively related to a higher flavour intensity. Their specific accumulation and combination supported the flavour diversity of table grapes. This study identified novel flavour-associated compound profiles in table grapes through in-depth volatile compound analysis and non-conventional multivariate analysis.