Determination of Changes in Volatile Aroma Components, Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds in the Production Process of Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) Vinegar Produced by Traditional Methods

Jujube has anticancer, diabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and immune system effects. In this study, jujube juice, jujube wine and jujube vinegar were investigated in terms of chemical composition, phenolic contents, organic acid contents, volatile compound contents, and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of jujube vinegar produced by traditional methods were found to be higher than those of jujube juice and wine. Protocatechic acid, chlorogenic acid, phydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, and syringic acid were detected in jujube vinegar. Moreover, oxalic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and some other organic acid components were determined in jujube vinegar. Volatile aroma compounds such as ester, aldehyde, alcohol, terpene, acid, and ketone were determined in jujube samples. It was seen that the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of jujube vinegar were very rich, and jujube vinegar, which is an alternative product with a high potential produced from jujube fruit, is an important product for the food sector due to its long shelf life. This research is the first detailed study in which the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds determined during the production stages of jujube vinegar (jujube juice, wine, and vinegar) were evaluated in detail.