Biochemistry of apple aroma: A review

• Published in: Food technology and biotechnology Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 375 - 397
• Main Authors: Espino-Díaz, Miguel, Sepúlveda, David Roberto, González-Aguilar, Gustavo, Olivas, Guadalupe I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Croatia Sveuciliste u Zagrebu, Prehramheno-Biotehnoloski Fakultet 01.10.2016; University of Zagreb Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology
• Subjects: Abiotic factors; Alcohol; alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), alcohol acyltransferase (AAT); Aldehydes; Amino acids; apple aroma; Apples; Biochemistry; Biosynthesis; Cultivars; Enzymes; Esters; Fatty acids; Fruits; lipoxygenase (LOX); Metabolism; pathway; Physiology; precursor; Review; volatile compounds; alcohol acyltransferase (AAT); lipoxygenase (LOX); alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH); precursor; volatile compounds; apple aroma; pathway
• ISSN: 1330-9862; 1334-2606
• DOI: 10.17113/ftb.54.04.16.4248

Flavour is a key quality attribute of apples defined by volatile aroma compounds. Biosynthesis of aroma compounds involves metabolic pathways in which the main precursors are fatty and amino acids, and the main products are aldehydes, alcohols and esters. Some enzymes are crucial in the production of volatile compounds, such as lipoxygenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and alcohol acyltransferase. Composition and concentration of volatiles in apples may be altered by pre- and postharvest factors that cause a decline in apple flavour. Addition of biosynthetic precursors of volatile compounds may be a strategy to promote aroma production in apples. The present manuscript compiles information regarding the biosynthesis of volatile aroma compounds, including metabolic pathways, enzymes and substrates involved, factors that may affect their production and also includes a wide number of studies focused on the addition of biosynthetic precursors in their production.