Key volatile compound formation of rapeseed oil induced via the Maillard reaction during seed roasting

This study was designed to investigate the influence of roasting (150 °C for 0-60 min) on key volatile compounds, sensory evaluation, free amino acids, sugars, and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) of five rapeseed varieties and their oils. During the roasting process, key volatile MRPs of fragrant rapeseed oils (FROs) that increased obviously in concentration were mainly pyrazines. After 60 min of roasting, the stronger nutty-like odor in oil from QH was possibly caused by the high levels of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (21.72 mg/kg) and 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine (5.06 mg/kg). The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural contents and browning indices increased significantly, whereas reducing sugar and free amino acid contents decreased significantly (p < 0.05). This suggested the extent of the Maillard reaction increased with roasting time. Furthermore, the results of Maillard reaction model system demonstrated glycine, lysine, and histidine could react with glucose to generate 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. Hence, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine is identified as one of the important aroma-active MRPs for FRO.