Characterization of the key odorants in grilled mutton shashlik with or without suet brushing during grilling

Grilled mutton shashlik is highly preferred by Chinese consumers. In this study, the key odorants in grilled mutton shashlik prepared in the traditional Chinese way under open carbon fire with or without suet (mutton fat) brushing during grilling were identified. Solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE), combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), quantitation, recovery factor correction, and aroma recombination and omission were performed. In total, 57 odorants were identified, which predominantly included aliphatic aldehydes, sulphur-containing compounds and pyrazines. In comparison, the suet-brushed mutton shashlik had stronger fatty and sheep-like odours due to higher levels of odorants generated via lipid degradation. However, the key odorants in both mutton shashlik with or without suet brushing during grilling were identified to be 3-(methylthio)propanal, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-acetylthiazole, 2-furfurylthiol,bis(2-methyl-3-furyl)disulphide, 2-acetylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)furanone, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 1-octen-3-ol, (E)-2-octenal, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, octanal, (E)-2-nonenal, nonanal, 4-methyloctanoic acid and 4-methylphenol. Notably, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, which usually contributes significantly to cooked meat aroma, was excluded as a key odorant here. The results can help understand effect of fat on meat flavour and provide guidance for preparation of processed meat flavourings with the preferred flavour of grilled mutton shashlik.