Chemical and sensory characterisation of pan-fried pork flavour: interactions between raw meat quality, ageing and frying temperature

The effect of raw meat quality and cooking temperature on flavour generation in pork was investigated. The semimembranosus muscle was varied through genetics (carrier (HLY) and non-carrier (DLY) of the RN− allele) and ageing at 2 °C (2, 15, and 22 days), whereas the pan-frying temperatures were 150 °C and 250 °C. HLY gave more pronounced ‘fried’ and ‘burnt’ notes than DLY after frying. This could partly be explained by a significantly higher concentration of glucose and glucose 6-phosphate in HLY after 22 days of ageing. HLY was generally perceived as more sour, which correlated well with the measured pH of HLY, but not to the l-lactate concentration. HLY was furthermore perceived as more tender and juicier than DLY, both attributes increased during ageing. Lipid-derived aroma volatiles dominated the samples fried at 150 °C, while those from Maillard reactions mostly prevailed in the aroma profile at 250 °C.