Identification of 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (Sotolon) and ethyl 9-hydroxynonanoate in botrytised wine and evaluation of the roles of compounds characteristic of it.

Abstract

Two new components of botrytised wine were identified: 4, 5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (Sotolon) and et yl 9-hydroxynonanoate. Sotolon, the key substance of cane sugar aroma, was identified as the sugary flavor substance of botrytised wine by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after column chromatographic separation on DEAESephadex and silica gel. Ethyl 9-hydroxynonanoate was identified by chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectrometry. To evaluate the role of 17 volatile and 5 nonvolatile compounds characteristic of botrytised wine, these compounds were added to a normal wine. This produced a sweet, honey-like flavor similar to that of botrytised wine. The importance of Sotolon and the role of each group of flavor substances in producting this flavor was clarified by omission tests.