Understanding the lost functionality of ethanol in non-alcoholic beer using sensory evaluation, aroma release and molecular hydrodynamics

Ramsey, Imogen; Dinu, Vlad; Linforth, Rob; Yakubov, Gleb E.; Harding, Stephen E.; Yang, Qian; Ford, Rebecca; Fisk, Ian

Abstract

© 2020, The Author(s). Consumer sensory evaluation, aroma release analysis and biophysical protein analysis were used to investigate the effect of ethanol on the release and perception of flavour in beer (lager and stout) at different ethanol levels (0 and 5% ABV). Consumer study results showed no significant differences in orthonasal perception, yet retronasal results showed that 0% lager was perceived as maltier with reduced fruitiness, sweetness, fullness/body and alcohol warming sensation (p < 0.05). Whilst ethanol alone decreases the aroma release regardless of LogP, the presence of α-amylase selectively reduces the headspace concentration of hydrophobic compounds. It was found that ethanol has a subtle inhibitory effect on the binding of hydrophobic compounds to α-amylase, thereby increasing their headspace concentration in the 5% ABV as compared to the 0% beers. This synergistic ethanol * saliva effect is attributed to the changes in the conformation of α-amylase due to ethanol-induced denaturation. It is hypothesised that the partially unfolded protein structures have a lower number of hydrophobic pockets, leading to a lower capacity to entrap hydrophobic aroma compounds. This supports the hypothesis that ethanol * saliva interactions directly impact the sensory and flavour properties of beer, which would provide a basis for further investigations in reformulation of 0% ABV drinks.

Citation

Ramsey, I., Dinu, V., Linforth, R., Yakubov, G. E., Harding, S. E., Yang, Q., Ford, R., & Fisk, I. (2020). Understanding the lost functionality of ethanol in non-alcoholic beer using sensory evaluation, aroma release and molecular hydrodynamics. Scientific Reports, 10(1), Article 20855. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77697-5

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 12, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 30, 2020
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 17, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 2, 2020
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 20855
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77697-5
• Keywords: Multidisciplinary
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5050534
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77697-5
• Additional Information: Received: 29 June 2020; Accepted: 12 November 2020; First Online: 30 November 2020; : The authors declare no competing interests.