Effects of irradiation on the aging and sensory quality of navel orange distilled spirits

Abstract BACKGROUND 60 Co‐γ irradiation can simulate the effects of aging and enhance the flavor of distilled spirits. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy 60 Co‐γ irradiation doses on the key aroma components in newly produced navel orange distilled spirits and thus determine the mechanism of their aging distilled spirits. RESULTS The identification of aroma compounds demonstrated that ethyl hexanoate, d ‐limonene, ethyl octanoate, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol and linalool are the key aroma compounds in navel orange distilled spirits, which were increased except for linalool with irradiation doses of 2–6 kGy. Irradiation treatment simulated the effects of the aging of navel orange distilled spirits by promoting the content of total acids, total esters and aldehydes. Irradiation doses of 2–6 kGy increased the aroma intensity of navel orange distilled spirits, reaching an optimum at 6 kGy. However, irradiation doses as high as 8 and 10 kGy decreased the content of esters in navel orange distilled spirits, which led to a deterioration of the spirit flavor. CONCLUSION Low doses of 60 Co‐γ irradiation can simulate the effects of the aging by increasing the content of key aromatic compounds in navel orange distilled spirits. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.