Comparison of odor compounds of brown sugar, muscovado sugar, and brown granulated sugar using GC-O-MS

Brown sugar (BS), muscovado sugar (MS), and brown granulated sugar (BGS) are manufactured from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). The odors of these three kinds of sugar have been analyzed using liquid-liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS). A total of 92 odor compounds were detected in these three kinds of sugar products; among which, the acid compounds exhibited the highest content, followed by phenolic compounds, aldehydes, and ketones. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences in the odor compounds among different sugar products. Abundant Maillard reaction products (such as pyrazines and furanones) were detected in brown sugar as compared to the other two kinds of sugars. As muscovado sugar was prepared by boiling the mixture for a longer time, the Maillard reaction was more efficient, and the contents of small molecular organic acids (such as formic acid and acetic acid) in muscovado sugar were significantly higher than those in brown sugar. As the molasses was separated during the production of the brown granulated sugar, its odor compounds were lost, and the contents of odor compounds in brown granulated sugar were lower than those in brown sugar and muscovado sugar.