Formation of pyrazines from ascorbic acid and amino acids under dry-roasting conditions

Although the participation of ascorbic acid in Maillard-type reactions has been described, the formation of flavour compounds resulting from the interaction of ascorbic acid with different amino acids has not been reported before. Therefore, the formation of flavour compounds from the model reactions of 20 amino acids with ascorbic acid was studied under dry-roasting conditions. Thirty-six different pyrazines were identified, mostly ethyl and methyl substituted pyrazines. The amounts of pyrazines detected were comparable to those formed from pentose sugars. Lysine was the most reactive amino acid and yielded the highest amounts of alkylpyrazines. The reducing activity of ascorbic acid influenced the reaction mechanism of pyrazine formation and thus the type of pyrazines produced. Addition of a base, such as potassium carbonate, significantly enhanced pyrazine formation from ascorbic acid for most amino acids. The formation of pyrazines from serine and threonine without a carbonyl compound was greatly enhanced by the addition of potassium carbonate as well. Furan was detected in all model systems in relatively low amounts and its formation was not enhanced by the addition of potassium carbonate.