Investigation of the formation of Strecker aldehydes from the reaction of Amadori rearrangement products with α-amino acids in low moisture model systems

The formation of Strecker aldehydes in low moisture model systems (based on microcrystalline cellulose) containing the Amadori rearrangement product (ARP) fructose-leucine (Fru-Leu), the amino acid isoleucine (Ile) and the amine o-phenylenediamine (OPD) respectively in varying molar ratios was investigated. The model systems were heated under constant conditions and the formation of Strecker aldehydes analysed using headspace-GC. The experimental results obtained provide evidence that the formation of Strecker aldehydes does not only occur via ordinary Strecker degradation but also via alternative reaction pathways branching off directly from the ARP. Alternative reaction pathways are proposed.