Effect of cis/trans Isomerism of β-Carotene on the Ratios of Volatile Compounds Produced during Oxidative Degradation

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Abstract
β-Carotene is, when cleaved, an important source of flavor and aroma compounds in fruits and flowers. Among these aroma compounds, the main degradation products are β-ionone, 5,6-epoxy-β-ionone, and dihydroactinidiolide (DHA), which are associated by flavorists and perfumers with fruity, floral, and woody notes. These three species can be produced by degradation of β-carotene through an attack by enzyme-generated free radicals and a cleavage at the C9−C10 bond. This study investigated the influence of cis/trans isomerism at the C9−C10 bond on the production of β-carotene degradation compounds, first with a predictive approach and then experimentally with different isomer mixtures. β-Carotene solutions containing high ratios of 9-cis-isomers produced more DHA, suggesting a different pathway than for the transformation of all-trans-β-carotene to ionone and DHA. These results are important in the search for financially viable processes to produce natural carotene-derived aroma compounds. Keywords: β-Carotene isomers; xanthine oxidase; β-ionone; dihydroactinidiolide