Abstract:
Thermal reactions of cysteine/furfural and cysteine/ribose mixts. were studied in model systems to gain more insight into the influence of structured fluids such as L2 microemulsions and cubic phases on the generation of aroma compds. Formation of 2-furfurylthiol from cysteine/furfural was particularly efficient in L2 microemulsions and cubic phases compared to aq. systems. The reaction led to the formation of two new sulfur compds., which were identified as 2-(2-furyl)thiazolidine and, tentatively, N-(2-mercaptovinyl)-2-(2-furyl)thiazolidine. Similarly, generation of 2-furfurylthiol and 2-methyl-3-furanthiol from cysteine/ribose mixts. was strongly enhanced in structured fluids. The cubic phase was shown to be even more efficient in flavor generation than the L2 microemulsion. It was denoted "cubic catalyst" or "cubic selective microreactor". The obtained results are interpreted in terms of a surface and curvature control of the reactions defined by the structural properties of the formed surfactant assocs. [on SciFinder(R)]