Interaction between starch and aroma compounds as measured by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS)

The interaction between starch and the complexing aroma compounds hexanal and menthone was investigated by headspace analysis using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). Starch systems with non-modified and modified tapioca starch were prepared containing single aroma compounds (hexanal, menthone) or a blend of the two aroma compounds at low aroma concentrations (6 × 10−3 mg/100 g). The headspace intensity of starch–aroma systems was slightly reduced due to starch–aroma interactions compared to aroma water-systems. The combination of hexanal and menthone did not lead to competitive aroma release effects, but hexanal retention increased by increasing the equilibration time from 48 to 96 h. Non-modified and chemically modified starch showed similar aroma release behaviour. It is concluded that the formation of starch–aroma complexes influences aroma release, but that at low aroma concentration the dissociation of the complex is not hindered by the aggregation of amylose–aroma complexes.