Formation of Aroma Characteristics in Roasted Camellia oleifera Seeds

<i>Camellia oleifera</i> oil (CO) is an important edible oil with excellent nutritional value. Recently, there has been an increasing market demand for oils with distinct flavor profiles. However, the formation mechanisms of characteristic aromas in CO remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of roasting (170 °C, 0-30 min) on free amino acids, soluble sugars, and volatile components in camellia seeds and the corresponding oils. To further elucidate the generation mechanisms of flavor compounds in CO, reaction systems simulating the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation were constructed. The results show strong correlations between volatile compounds and both soluble sugars and free amino acids during roasting. The key flavor precursors identified included arginine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine, as well as sucrose and glucose. The simulated systems indicated that the flavor compounds in CO were mainly derived from the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation, with significant interactions enhancing its unique flavor. This study potentially provides scientific guidance for the production and flavor control of fragrant CO.