Figures (6)  Tables (2)
    • Figure 1. 

      Venn diagram of volatile compounds. (a) Comparison of the number of volatile compounds in unfermented and fermented beans within the same group. (b) Comparison of the number of volatile compounds between unfermented and fermented beans in the three groups. (c) Number of volatile compounds shared by unfermented and fermented beans in the three groups (Un: unfermented beans, Fe: fermented beans).

    • Figure 2. 

      Volatile compound buildup map. (a) Total area abundance of volatile components. (b) Number of volatile components. (c) Relative content of volatile components.

    • Figure 3. 

      Number of volatile compounds within the three cacao groups. The three dots on the box represent the number of volatile compounds for the three replicates; 'Ave' represents the average (rounded).

    • Figure 4. 

      Peak areas of major volatile compounds.

    • Figure 5. 

      PCA analysis of unfermented and fermented beans in three cacao groups. (a) unfermented beans. (b) Fermented beans. The code in the figure corresponds to the corresponding compound.

    • Figure 6. 

      Volatile compounds cluster heat map. The code in the figure corresponds to the corresponding compound.

    • Germplasm Cocoa butter
      (%)
      Theobromine
      (mg/g)
      Caffeine
      (mg/g)
      Polyphenol
      (mg GAE/g)
      F0 42.37 ± 1.94ab 13.83 ± 0.50a 1.92 ± 0.83a 63.54 ± 4.69a
      C0 42.12 ± 1.46ab 14.49 ± 0.84a 1.24 ± 0.11a 64.40 ± 2.96a
      T0 44.00 ± 2.24a 13.56 ± 1.67a 2.69 ± 1.10a 66.21 ± 1.92a
      F1 38.76 ± 2.58b 12.01 ± 1.24a 1.73 ± 0.75a 53.64 ± 6.53ab
      C1 37.98 ± 1.93b 11.68 ± 1.53a 1.18 ± 0.09a 45.35 ± 12.44b
      T1 38.30 ± 1.36b 12.49 ± 1.18a 2.04 ± 0.58a 46.41 ± 5.49b
      The value for each group is the mean ± SD of the triplicate material in the group. Mean values assigned with a common letter within the same column are not significantly different according to Duncan's multiple range tests at the 5% level.

      Table 1. 

      Quality traits of unfermented and fermented beans for the three cacao groups.

    • Code Compound LRI Relative content (%) Aroma description
      F0 C0 T0 F1 C1 T1
      Alcohols
      A1 2-Methyl-3-buten-2-ol 1002 1.98 ± 0.58 0.65 ± 0.65 1.01 ± 0.53 0.03 ± 0.03 0.08 ± 0.08 0.01 ± 0.01 Herbal, earth, oily
      A2 Isobutanol 1068 0.46 ± 0.27 0.28 ± 0.26 0.47 ± 0.31 0.07 ± 0.03 0.22 ± 0.14 0.10 ± 0.07 Apple, cocoa, wine
      A3 2-Pentanol 1108 46.33 ± 13.39 29.22 ± 7.88 38.31 ± 24.80 NA NA NA Green, fusel oil
      A4 3-Methyl-1-butanol 1202 3.37 ± 1.45 3.85 ± 3.29 5.05 ± 0.69 0.32 ± 0.22 1.44 ± 1.17 0.72 ± 0.08 Banana, fruity, fusel oil
      A5 1-Pentanol 1247 0.17 ± 0.17 0.12 ± 0.12 0.06 ± 0.04 NA 0.03 ± 0.03 NA Fruity, green
      A6 2-Hexanol 1311 0.50 ± 0.50 0.26 ± 0.01 0.43 ± 0.14 NA NA NA Wine, fruity, fatty
      A7 2-Heptanol 1322 1.04 ± 1.72 6.31 ± 3.44 6.80 ± 1.27 0.06 ± 0.05 0.51 ± 0.57 0.13 ± 0.07 Fruity, citrus
      A8 1-Hexanol 1342 0.18 ± 0.18 0.40 ± 0.05 0.23 ± 0.04 NA 0.04 ± 0.04 NA Green, herbal, fruity
      A9 3-Ethoxy-1-propanol 1374 NA NA NA 0.06 ± 0.06 0.13 ± 0.08 0.06 ± 0.02 Fruity
      A10 2-Octanol 1421 NA NA NA 0.08 ± 0.05 0.06 ± 0.02 NA Spicy, green, wood
      A11 2-Nonanol 1519 NA 0.27 ± 0.10 0.83 ± 0.83 0.19 ± 0.08 1.01 ± 0.21 0.27 ± 0.20 Fruity, green
      A12 2,3-Butanediol 1536 1.03 ± 0.91 1.55 ± 0.62 1.19 ± 0.55 13.24 ± 7.34 10.22 ± 4.77 12.89 ± 2.84 Creamy, fruity
      A13 Linalool 1544 0.49 ± 0.49 0.30 ± 0.30 0.35 ± 0.16 0.27 ± 0.16 0.16 ± 0.14 0.08 ± 0.02 Rose, floral, green
      A14 1-Octanol 1555 NA 0.14 ± 0.14 0.07 ± 0.07 0.03 ± 0.03 0.08 ± 0.08 0.05 ± 0.01 Waxy, green
      A15 1,3-Butanediol 1574 3.15 ± 1.97 3.12 ± 1.55 4.23 ± 3.31 4.74 ± 1.67 4.04 ± 0.93 4.74 ± 0.87
      A16 Propylene glycol 1587 NA 0.13 ± 0.13 0.08 ± 0.06 0.07 ± 0.07 0.11 ± 0.04 0.07 ± 0.03
      A17 1-Phenylethanol 1798 0.38 ± 0.38 NA 0.17 ± 0.17 0.09 ± 0.05 0.20 ± 0.15 0.04 ± 0.00 Floral, honey, rose
      A18 Benzyl alcohol 1857 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.00 0.12 ± 0.08 0.03 ± 0.02 Floral, rose
      A19 2-Phenylethanol 1890 0.63 ± 0.21 1.19 ± 0.19 1.42 ± 0.75 6.17 ± 5.01 18.88 ± 13.74 8.10 ± 6.24 Floral, honey, rose
      Esters
      E1 Ethyl acetate 903 10.09 ± 4.66 13.03 ± 4.23 9.70 ± 6.52 2.34 ± 2.08 8.94 ± 6.12 3.90 ± 2.51 Fruity, sweet, grape
      E2 Isobutyl acetate 973 NA NA NA 0.12 ± 0.01 0.10 ± 0.03 0.12 ± 0.01 Apple, floral, herbal
      E3 Ethyl butanoate 994 0.57 ± 0.57 0.74 ± 0.18 0.15 ± 0.15 NA 0.12 ± 0.12 NA Fruity, green, apple
      E4 2-Pentyl acetate 1039 1.53 ± 0.32 7.32 ± 3.01 1.92 ± 0.84 0.03 ± 0.01 0.05 ± 0.05 0.05 ± 0.01 Herbal, fruity, green
      E5 Isopentyl acetate 1104 NA NA NA 0.72 ± 0.44 1.01 ± 0.02 1.34 ± 0.50 Fruity, sweet, banana
      E6 Ethyl hexanoate 1225 0.27 ± 0.27 0.26 ± 0.16 0.22 ± 0.13 0.13 ± 0.10 0.21 ± 0.13 0.12 ± 0.14 Fruity, green, banana
      E7 2-Heptyl acetate 1257 0.19 ± 0.19 1.95 ± 0.58 0.27 ± 0.27 0.04 ± 0.04 0.17 ± 0.17 0.13 ± 0.13 Fenugreek, fruity
      E8 Ethyl heptanoate 1329 NA NA 0.07 ± 0.07 0.03 ± 0.01 0.04 ± 0.02 0.02 ± 0.02 Fruit, wine
      E9 Acetoin acetate 1377 NA NA NA 0.32 ± 0.15 0.19 ± 0.11 0.31 ± 0.14 Sweet, creamy
      E10 Ethyl octanoate 1429 NA NA NA 0.09 ± 0.03 0.22 ± 0.12 0.09 ± 0.08 Fruity, apricot, brandy
      E11 2-Hydroxyethyl acetate 1627 NA NA NA 0.19 ± 0.04 NA 0.19 ± 0.04
      E12 Ethyl decanoate 1630 NA NA NA 0.01 ± 0.01 0.02 ± 0.01 NA Grape, brandy, grape
      E13 Diethyl succinate 1667 NA NA 0.22 ± 0.22 NA 0.24 ± 0.05 NA Fruity, floral
      E14 1-Phenylethyl acetate 1684 NA 0.11 ± 0.11 0.08 ± 0.08 0.02 ± 0.00 0.02 ± 0.00 0.02 ± 0.02 Green, fruity
      E15 Ethyl phenylacetate 1766 NA 0.11 ± 0.11 NA 0.08 ± 0.02 0.15 ± 0.06 0.12 ± 0.05 Floral, rose, honey
      E16 2-Phenylethyl acetate 1793 NA NA NA 2.58 ± 2.01 2.94 ± 2.08 3.14 ± 0.50 Floral, rose, honey
      E17 Isobutyl benzoate 1816 NA NA 0.44 ± 0.17 0.04 ± 0.01 0.04 ± 0.02 0.07 ± 0.01 Sweet, fruity
      E18 Ethyl laurate 1834 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.02 0.02 ± 0.00 0.01 ± 0.01 Sweety, floral
      E19 Ethyl cinnamate 2097 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.02 0.03 ± 0.02 0.02 ± 0.02 Balsamic, fruity
      E20 Eugenyl acetate 2239 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.02 0.17 ± 0.17 0.25 ± 0.25 Woody, clove, floral
      E21 Ethyl palmitate 2246 NA NA NA 0.12 ± 0.01 0.13 ± 0.07 0.12 ± 0.02 Waxy
      Acids
      Ac1 Acetic acid 1443 6.30 ± 3.52 9.15 ± 0.82 6.22 ± 4.56 52.56 ± 9.01 35.42 ± 20.58 52.57 ± 8.27 Sour, vinegar, pungent
      Ac2 Propanoic acid 1531 NA NA NA 0.06 ± 0.03 0.04 ± 0.04 0.04 ± 0.01 Acidic, pungent, cheesy
      Ac3 Isobutyric acid 1561 NA NA NA 0.28 ± 0.17 0.30 ± 0.22 0.20 ± 0.04 Acidic, buttery, cheese
      Ac4 Butanoic acid 1622 NA NA NA 0.03 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.03 Acetic, cheese, butter
      Ac5 2-Methylbutanoic acid 1662 NA NA NA 2.94 ± 2.94 0.28 ± 0.28 NA Pungent, cheese
      Ac6 Isovaleric acid 1664 0.30 ± 0.30 0.36 ± 0.07 0.17 ± 0.08 0.68 ± 0.42 0.68 ± 0.49 0.58 ± 0.14 Sour, stinky
      Ac7 Hexanoic acid 1839 NA NA NA 0.03 ± 0.01 0.05 ± 0.03 0.03 ± 0.00 Sour, fatty
      Ac8 Octanoic acid 2056 NA NA NA 0.05 ± 0.01 0.05 ± 0.02 0.04 ± 0.01 Acid, cheese
      Aldehydes
      Ald1 Hexanal 1046 0.24 ± 0.24 0.54 ± 0.54 0.37 ± 0.37 NA 0.01 ± 0.01 NA Grass, fresh, fruity
      Ald2 Octanal 1279 NA 0.12 ± 0.12 0.10 ± 0.05 0.02 ± 0.01 0.02 ± 0.01 NA Citrus, fatty
      Ald3 Nonanal 1387 1.19 ± 0.78 0.99 ± 0.67 0.77 ± 0.47 0.15 ± 0.02 0.14 ± 0.07 0.13 ± 0.07 Citrus, fatty
      Ald4 2-Furaldehyde 1448 0.58 ± 0.58 0.54 ± 0.54 NA NA 0.15 ± 0.15 0.14 ± 0.14 Baked bread, almond
      Ald5 Decanal 1480 NA NA NA 0.07 ± 0.02 0.04 ± 0.02 0.27 ± 0.01 Orange peel, floral
      Ald6 Benzaldehyde 1503 0.13 ± 0.13 NA NA 0.10 ± 0.06 0.35 ± 0.27 0.17 ± 0.09 Almond, cherry
      Ald7 Phenylacetaldehyde 1619 NA NA NA 0.05 ± 0.02 0.08 ± 0.03 0.04 ± 0.03 Honey, nutty
      Ald8 2-Phenyl-2-butenal 1899 NA NA NA NA 0.09 ± 0.06 0.03 ± 0.03 Cocoa, honey, roast
      Ketones
      K1 2-Pentanone 946 11.10 ± 1.17 9.06 ± 0.52 10.71 ± 5.75 0.26 ± 0.25 0.13 ± 0.09 0.12 ± 0.02 Fruity
      K2 2-Heptanone 1166 0.57 ± 0.71 2.64 ± 1.20 4.01 ± 3.35 0.10 ± 0.10 0.24 ± 0.22 0.08 ± 0.07 Fruity, green
      K3 Acetoin 1271 1.02 ± 0.26 0.84 ± 0.21 0.69 ± 0.45 3.67 ± 2.59 1.63 ± 0.74 2.09 ± 0.39 Buttery, creamy
      K4 Hydroxyacetone 1285 NA 0.13 ± 0.13 NA 0.02 ± 0.00 0.03 ± 0.02 0.02 ± 0.01 Caramellic, buttery
      K5 2-Hydroxy-3-pentanone 1348 NA NA NA 0.19 ± 0.19 0.04 ± 0.02 0.02 ± 0.02 Truffle, earthy, nutty
      K6 2-Nonanone 1383 NA 0.70 ± 0.06 0.26 ± 0.26 0.05 ± 0.05 1.73 ± 1.46 0.03 ± 0.03 Green, herbal
      K7 Acetophenone 1625 3.20 ± 3.20 0.17 ± 0.17 0.72 ± 0.43 0.35 ± 0.10 0.65 ± 0.37 NA Floral, almond
      Hydrocarbons
      H1 β-Myrcene 1148 0.98 ± 0.98 NA 0.66 ± 0.41 0.22 ± 0.16 0.13 ± 0.10 0.04 ± 0.01 Balsam, spicy
      H2 Styrene 1242 NA NA NA 0.03 ± 0.01 0.02 ± 0.00 0.02 ± 0.02 Balsam, plastic
      H3 Alloocimene 1366 NA NA NA 0.08 ± 0.08 0.02 ± 0.02 NA Floral, herbal
      H4 α-Humulene 1643 0.38 ± 0.10 0.29 ± 0.29 0.48 ± 0.26 0.08 ± 0.03 0.08 ± 0.02 0.05 ± 0.01 Woody
      Pyrazines
      P1 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine 1338 0.16 ± 0.12 0.16 ± 0.11 0.11 ± 0.03 0.25 ± 0.20 3.31 ± 3.86 0.27 ± 0.03 Caramel, roasted, nutty
      P2 Trimethylpyrazine 1397 NA NA NA 0.18 ± 0.16 0.06 ± 0.03 0.18 ± 0.02 Nutty, cocoa, baked potato
      P3 Tetramethylpyrazine 1464 NA NA NA 4.43 ± 6.06 0.51 ± 0.36 4.27 ± 1.19 Chocolate, coffee, cocoa
      Furans
      F1 trans-Furan linalool oxide 1461 0.66 ± 0.66 NA 0.21 ± 0.05 0.05 ± 0.03 0.07 ± 0.04 0.05 ± 0.01 Floral, citrus
      F2 Furaneol 2017 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.02 0.05 ± 0.05 0.05 ± 0.05 Caramel, sweet, strawberry
      Lactone
      L1 γ-Valerolactone 1583 0.15 ± 0.15 NA NA 0.04 ± 0.03 NA 0.09 ± 0.09 Herbal, sweet
      L2 γ-Butyrolactone 1599 0.57 ± 0.32 0.56 ± 0.47 0.60 ± 0.76 0.30 ± 0.16 0.50 ± 0.18 0.42 ± 0.36 Creamy, caramel
      L3 Pantolactone 2001 NA NA NA 0.08 ± 0.03 0.12 ± 0.06 0.10 ± 0.05 Cotton candy, burnt
      L4 5-Acetyldihydro-2(3H)-furanone 2024 NA NA NA 0.02 ± 0.00 0.04 ± 0.02 0.06 ± 0.01 Wine
      Others
      O1 Methionol 1704 NA 0.11 ± 0.11 NA 0.06 ± 0.06 0.43 ± 0.39 0.12 ± 0.17 Onion, soup
      O2 trans-Pyran linalool oxide 1756 NA NA NA 0.03 ± 0.01 0.04 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.01 Floral, sweet
      O3 2-Acetylpyrrole 1946 NA NA NA 0.04 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.02 0.07 ± 0.02 Bready, cocoa, hazelnut
      O4 Eugenol 2152 0.12 ± 0.12 0.39 ± 0.39 0.17 ± 0.17 0.03 ± 0.03 0.18 ± 0.18 0.04 ± 0.02 Clove, spicy
      O5 Elemicin 2207 NA 1.93 ± 1.93 NA 0.04 ± 0.03 0.13 ± 0.16 0.20 ± 0.20 Spicy, floral
      The value for each group is the mean ± SD of the triplicate material in the group. 'NA' indicates that the substance has not been detected.

      Table 2. 

      Volatile compounds before and after fermentation of three groups cocoa beans.