Identification based on quantitative measurements and aroma recombination of the character impact odorants in a Bavarian Pilsner-type beer.

Application of aroma extract dilution analysis on the volatiles isolated from a Bavarian Pilsner-type beer revealed 40 odor-active constituents in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 16-2048, among which ethyl octanoate, (E)-beta-damascenone, 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone showed the highest FD factor of 2048. After quantitation of the 26 odorants showing FD factors > or =128 by stable isotope dilution analysis and determination of their odor thresholds in water, odor acitivity values (OAVs) were calculated. The results indicated ethanol, (E)-beta-damascenone, (R)-linalool, acetaldehyde, and ethyl butanoate with the highest OAVs, followed by ethyl 2-methylpropanoate and ethyl 4-methylpentanoate, which was previously unknown in beer. Finally, the overall aroma of the beer could be mimicked for the first time by recombining 22 reference odorants in the same concentrations as they occurred in the beer using ethanol/water as the matrix.