Pyruvate and flavor development in macerated onions (Allium cepa L.) by γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and exogenous C-S lyase

Effect of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in conjunction with exogenous C-S lyase on pyruvate content in macerated onion and flavor profile was studied. Pyruvate production of 2.5-fold greater than that of the control was obtained in γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and exogenous C-S lyase treated onions held for 20 h at 37 °C. Relative abundance of flavor compounds in Spartan Banner, a pungent onion, varied from a yellow sweet salad-type onion. The effect of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and exogenous C-S lyase on onion flavor profile was shown by a shift of major components from methyl propyl disulfide, methyl propenyl trisulfide, dimethyl tetrasulfide and propyl 1-propenyl trisulfide, into new major components, methyl 1-propenyl disulfide, dipropyl disulfide, propyl 1-propenyl disulfide, methyl 1-propenyl trisulfide, and propyl 1-propenyl trisulfide. This increase in 1-propenyl containing flavor compounds may effect overall flavor of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and exogenous C-S lyase treated onion extracts.