Flavor precursors and sensory-active sulfur compounds in alliaceae species native to South Africa and South America.

Profiles of S-substituted cysteine flavor precursors were determined in 42 Alliaceae species native to South Africa and South America. It was found that the pool of cysteine derivatives present in these plants is remarkably very simple, with S-((methylthio)methyl)cysteine 4-oxide (marasmin) being the principal flavor precursor, typically accounting for 93-100% of the pool. Out of the other cysteine derivatives, only minor quantities of methiin were present in some species. The marasmin-derived thiosulfinate marasmicin (2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane 4-oxide), a major sensory-active compound of the freshly disrupted plants, was isolated, and its organoleptic properties were evaluated. Furthermore, sulfur-containing volatiles formed upon boiling of these alliaceous species were studied by GC-MS. The profile of the volatiles formed was relatively simple, with 2,3,5-trithiahexane and 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane being the major components. Despite the traditional belief, ingestion of the marasmin-rich plants was always accompanied by development of a strong "garlic breath". We believe that especially several Tulbaghia species deserve to attract much greater attention from the food industry thanks to their pungent garlicky taste and unusual yet pleasant alliaceous smell.