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Nosy confirmation: reconstitution of the characteristic odor of softwood via quantitative analysis and human sensory evaluation

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Abstract

The significance of wood odors beyond flavoring effects for barbecues and wine aged in barrels has recently been under discussion. Wood has an immense influence on our physical and mental condition through our palate, such as positive health and mood-stimulating effects. As a result of increased public interest, the key odorants from various natural wood species were recently decoded. To gain profound insights into the contribution of single odorants to the overall scent of distinct wood types, this study compares several softwood species (Scots pine, incense cedar, European larch, Norway spruce, and white fir) by odor profile analysis. Nine odor-active constituents, which were previously detected in those woods, were quantified using stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA). Odor activity values (OAVs) calculated on the basis of odor thresholds (OTs) determined in cellulose revealed hexanal, octanal, (E)-non-2-enal, p-cresol, vanillin, and thymoquinone as dominant odorants for wood odor. Recombination experiments by mixing the odorants in their naturally occurring concentrations in a cellulose matrix confirmed the successful characterization of the key odorants for Scots pine and incense cedar wood.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Alexander Vyhnal and Staedtler Mars GmbH & Co KG for supplying the incense cedar, white fir, and Scots pine wood samples as well as to Richard Hammerl for providing help regarding NMR analyses and to the members of our working group for their participation in the sensory analyses. This study was carried out within the framework of the Campus of the Senses, a joint endeavor of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV and Integrated Circuits IIS, together with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg as an academic partner. The Campus of the Senses initiative is financially supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi), and the Fraunhofer society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Linda Schreiner & Andrea Buettner

  2. Department Sensory Analytics, Fraunhofer-Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Linda Schreiner, Eva Ortner & Andrea Buettner

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  1. Linda Schreiner
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  2. Eva Ortner
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Correspondence to Andrea Buettner.

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The study was conducted in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study (registration number 180_16B) was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects participating in the study.

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Schreiner, L., Ortner, E. & Buettner, A. Nosy confirmation: reconstitution of the characteristic odor of softwood via quantitative analysis and human sensory evaluation. Anal Bioanal Chem 412, 1137–1149 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-019-02339-3

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