The Volatile Compound Profile of “Lumblija”, the Croatian Protected Geographical Indication Sweet Bread

“Lumblija” is a Croatian autochthonous sweet bread which recently obtained a European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label. The peculiarity of “Lumblija” is the use of ingredients such as concentrated grape must, rose or herbal brandy, and various herbs and spices, mostly produced and collected in the area of the island of Korčula. To the author’s knowledge, the volatile compounds of “Lumblija” have not been investigated till now. The aim of this study was to characterise the volatile compounds responsible for the distinctive aroma of the traditional sweet bread “Lumblija”, which is widely appreciated for its unique sensory properties. Four samples of “Lumblija” were investigated. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was applied for volatile compound characterisation of “Lumblija” samples. A total of 50 volatile compounds were identified in the “Lumblija” samples. Volatile compounds belong to different chemical classes: terpenes, phenylpropanoids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and carboxylic acids. Among them, terpenes and phenylpropanoids were the most numerous and the most abundant volatile compounds. Most differences in the volatile compound profile of “Lumblija” samples can be attributed to some specific ingredients such as spices. The results of this study could be useful to establish a volatile compound profile of “Lumblija”, which could serve as an indicator of the authenticity and quality of this autochthonous bakery product.