Chlorine (C12(sq»' chlorine dioxide (Cl02 ) and potassium permanganate (KMn04) were evaluated as oxidants for the removal of grassy and cucumber odors associated with the pure compounds, cis-3-hexenol and trans-2, cis-6-nonadienal, respectively, and for the removal of fishy odors associated with a culture of an alga, Synura petersenii. The effects of the oxidants on the pure compounds were assessed both by Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The effects of the oxidants on the algae culture were evaluated by FPA only. In addition, an unoxidized sample of Synura petersenii was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for possible identification of fishy-smelling compounds.
Chlorine (1-6 mg/L) and KMn04 (0.25-4 mg/L) markedly reduced grassy and cucumber odors associated with the two compounds. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmed that these compounds were reduced to below method detection limits. Levels of C12(&q) required (up to 6 mg/L) to reduce the grassy odors associated with cis-3-hexenol were higher than those of KMno4 • The high C12(&q) doses may have contributed to the formation of chemical odors observed by panelists. Two isomers of chlorohexenol were confidently identified as byproducts of cis-3-hexenol chlorination and may have contributed to the chemical odors that developed after CI2(aq) treatment. Chlorine and KMn04 (both at 10 mg/L) either reduced or destroyed the fishy odor associated with the culture of Synura petersenii; however, oxidation caused either the development or unmasking of fruity, cucumber, melon and grassy odors.
Chlorine dioxide (3 mg/L) did not reduce the grassy and cucumber odors associated with cis-3-hexenol and trans-2, cis-6-nonadienal , respectively. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry confirmed that concentrations of these compounds were not reduced to below method detection limits. Furthermore, at a concentration of 10 mg/L, CI02 did not effectively reduce either the fishy or other objectionable odors associated with Synura petersenii culture.
Hexanal, with an odor described as "green" or "like lettuce heart," and trans-2, cis-6-nonadienal (cucumber odor) were confirmed as algal products in a two-week-old culture of Synura petersenii. In addition, decatrienal was confidently identified as a product of Synura and may have contributed to the fishy odor associated with this alga.
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