Influence of chewing and swallowing behavior on volatile release in two confectionery systems

Electromyography, electroglottography and turbine airflow technology were used to characterize the chewing, swallowing and breath flow profiles of 35 subjects during the consumption of two different (a gum Arabic- and carrageenan-based) confectionery chews. Simultaneous volatile release measurements were obtained using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Subgroups of subjects displaying different eating characteristics were identified for both products. Parameters accounting for the maximum variance (product 1, 42% and product 2, 52%) between the subgroups were chewing force, chewing rate, proportion of work and total number of chews. Volatile release measurements were significantly different between the subgroups from product 1. The impact of the different eating characteristics on volatile release from product 2 was less defined, and postulated to be a result of the contrasting textural properties. Manipulating in vivo breakdown of chewy confectionery products, by texture modification, may influence consumer's volatile release and subsequent flavor perception.