Using gas chromatography/olfactometry (GCO), major odors from the headspace of aqueous solutions of soy protein isolates were evaluated. Many corresponding odorants were identified by correlating GCO with GC/mass spectrometry (MS) on two separate stationary phases followed by comparing retention times, mass spectra, odor descriptions and odor intensities with authentic standards. Based on aroma extract dilution analyses, the most powerful odorants (strongest and most volatile first) were (1) dimethyl trisulfide, (2) trans,trans-2,4decadienal, (3) an unidentified burnt soy sauce-like odor, (4) 2-pentyl pyridine, (5) trans,trans-2,4-nonadienal, (6) hexanal, (7) an unidentified charred sweaty feet-like odor, (8) acetophenone, and (9) 1-octen-3-one. This is the first reported occurrence of dimethyl trisulfide in soy protein isolates.

Volatile compounds from 2 samples of aqueous soy-protein isolates (SPI) (7%) were analyzed using both static and dynamic headspace methods. Based on dynamic headspace analyses, the most powerful odorants were (1) dimethyl trisulfide, (2) methanethiol, (3) hexanal, (4) an unidentified charred, sweaty feet-like odor, (5) 2-pentyl furan, (6) 2,3-butadione, and (7) an unknown burnt-like odor. The most powerful odorants by static headspace analyses were (1) dimethyl trisulfide, (2) hexanal, (3) methanethiol, and (4) 2-pentyl furan. Using deuterium labeled DMTS as an internal standard, DMTS was quantified at 60.1 and 45.5 ppb in the SPIs. This corresponds to odor values of 6014 and 4554, respectively. Using a cool, on-column technique, direct injection of concentrated-headspace volatiles and solvent-recovered volatiles with an internal standard of d 6 -DMTS detected both methanethiol and DMTS at similar levels as with the traditional injection methods.

Gas chromatography olfactometry/mass spectrometry (GCO/MS) studies on static and concentrated headspace of the aqueous slurries from soy protein concentrate (SPC) revealed acetaldehyde, methanethiol, hexanal, dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), and 2-pentyl furan as the most odorous volatiles. Further aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) of the volatile extracts identified the following as the odorous substances: hexanal, 2-heptanone, octanal, 2-octanone, 1-octen-3-one, DMTS, 3-octen-2-one, 2-decanone, benzaldehyde, 2-pentyl pyridine and trans, trans-2,4-nonadienal, along with several unidentified odorants. Methanethiol and acetaldehyde, which have low boiling points, were not detected by AEDA, however. This is the first time that acetaldehyde, methanethiol, and dimethyl trisulfide have been identified as primary odorants in SPC.

Solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of commercial samples of isolated soy proteins (ISP) revealed a symmetrical free-radical signal typical of carbon-centered radicals (g= 2.005) ranging from 2.96 x 10(14) to 6.42 x 10(14) spins/g. The level of free radicals in ISP was 14 times greater than similar radicals in sodium caseinate, 29 times greater than egg albumin, and about 100 times greater levels than casein. Nine soy protein powdered drink mixes contained similar types of free radicals up to 4.10 x 10(15) spins/g of drink mix, or up to 6.4 times greater than the highest free-radical content found in commercial ISP. ISP samples prepared in the laboratory contained trapped radicals similar to the levels in commercial ISP samples. When ISP was hydrated in 2.3 mM sodium erythorbate or 8.3 mM L-cysteine, frozen and dried, the level of trapped free radicals increased by about 17- and 19-fold, respectively. The ESR spectrum of defatted soybean flakes contained overlapping signals from the primary free-radical peak (g= 2.005) and a sextet pattern typical of manganese-II. The manganese signal was reduced in the laboratory ISP and very weak in the commercial ISP.

Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the levels of carbon-centered radicals in retail samples of isolated soy protein (ISP), soy protein concentrate (SPC), and powdered soy milk were estimated to contain from 6.12 x 10(14) to 1.98 x 10(15) spins/g of soy product. Roasted soy nuts contained about 5.70 x 10(15) spins/g. The peak to peak line width of the carbon-centered radicals from soy nuts was about 10 gauss, whereas ISP samples with a similar peak height had a peak to peak line width of about 8 gauss. Retail snack bars containing ISP, SPC, and/or roasted soy nuts with a total protein content of either 13, 21, or 29% contained 5.32 x 10(14), 6.67 x 10(14), and 5.74 x 10(14) spins/g of snack bar, respectively. Levels of carbon-centered radicals in newly prepared samples of ISP were much lower than levels in the retail soy protein products and levels previously reported for commercial ISP and laboratory ISP samples. The levels of radicals in ISP samples increased over a 12-25 week period of storage in the dark at 22 degrees C and exposed to air from about 8.00 x 10(13) spins/g immediately after preparation to 9.95 x 10(14) spins/g of ISP. Storing the ISP samples under nitrogen at 22 degrees C greatly reduced the increase in radical content, whereas storing the ISP in 99.9% oxygen at 40 degrees C accelerated the formation of stable carbon-centered radicals. ISP samples hydrated at either 22 or 92 degrees C, rapidly frozen, and dried lost about 92% of the trapped radicals. The level of carbon-centered radicals in these same ISP samples immediately began to increase during subsequent storage exposed to the air and gradually returned to similar levels obtained before they were hydrated.