Analysis of changes in flavor characteristics of Lipu taro pork at different stages of cooking based on GC-IMS, electronic nose, and electronic tongue

This study aims to examine the changes in volatile compounds of Lipu taro pork at various cooking stages, including raw pork meat (RP), pre-cooked meat (PM), roasted meat (RM), ultrasonically cured meat (UC), and steamed meat (SM). GC-IMS, fatty acid analysis, electronic tongue, and electronic nose were employed to identify flavor compounds at each processing stage, and the results were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Findings showed that the fatty acid content in PM was significantly higher than in pork from other stages, followed by the UC group, while SM had the lowest. GC-IMS detected a total of 60 compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and esters. Significant differences in flavor compound composition were observed across the various processing stages. Using the PLS-DA model, 21 compounds with VIP values above 1.0 were identified, with methyl-5-hepten-2-one (VIP > 1.5) being the most important for differentiation, followed by acetone, 2-pentanone, and ethyl hexanoate-D (VIP > 1.4).