Investigating flavor characteristics in orange juice from three new bud mutation varieties of longleaf orange using molecular sensory science

Volatiles in orange juices from three new bud mutation varieties of Longleaf orange were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and multidimensional GC–MS/olfactory (MDGC-MS/O) combined with aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). The 103 volatiles (34 odorants) were identified, with concentration increasing as Xiaxiangmicheng (XXMC)>Changyexiangcheng (CYXC)>Zhongganmicheng (ZGMC). The XXMC had the highest number of odorants (31), followed by CYXC (28) and ZGMC (25). C10-hydrocarbons and -alcohols ( d -limonene, linalool, and geraniol), as well as C6-alcohol ((E)-3-hexen-1-ol), exhibited high flavor dilution (FD) values (≥64) and contributed to the fatty, citrusy, floral, and grassy odors in juice. Higher odor activity values of esters conferred stronger fruity note in XXMC, while the lower ester-to-aldehyde ratio in ZGMC failed to mask the undesirable odors from volatile sulfur compounds. Four potential flavor markers were screened to distinguish the three bud mutation varieties.These provide a theoretical basis for citrus variety evaluation and flavor improvement.