Critical comparison of three olfactometric methods for the identification of the most potent odorants in cooked mussels (Mytilus edulis).

Three olfactometric methods (olfactometry global analysis, OSME, and AEDA) were compared to evaluate the main impact odorants of cooked mussels. The results obtained from these methods were very similar and well correlated. On the basis of the three techniques, 42 odor-active compounds were detected and 28 were identified. Among these compounds, 6 odorants seem to contribute actively to the aroma of mussels: 2,3-butanedione (4) (buttery, caramel-like odor), (Z)-4-heptenal (14) (boiled potato-like odor), (E)-2-penten-1-ol (17) (mushroom-like odor), 2-ethylpyrazine (19) (nutty odor), methional (25) (boiled potato-like odor), and (E,E)-2,4-octadienal (32) (cucumber-like odor).