Limonene, linalool, α-terpineol, and terpinen-4-ol as quality control parameters in mandarin juice processing

Consumers demand commercial citrus juices resembling fresh juices; however, citrus juice elaboration is quite delicate due to the formation of off-flavors during heat treatment and storage. Four volatile compounds, D-limonene, linalool, alpha-terpineol, and terpinen-4-ol were extracted using the dynamic headspace technique and were identified and quantified by GC-MS in mandarin juices from two Spanish varieties, Fortuna and Clemenules. Our results clearly demonstrated that both the pasteurization and storage steps significantly affected concentrations of these four aroma compounds. Formation of off-flavors components, alpha-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, and simultaneous decomposition of D-limonene and linalool were observed in mandarin juices. Therefore, measurements of the stability of D-limonene and linalool, and formation of alpha-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol will help mandarin juice producers in analyzing the quality of their products.