Volatile profiles of dry-cured meat products from three different Iberian x Duroc genotypes

Volatile profiles of two Iberian dry-cured products, dry-cured loin and ham, from three different Iberian x Duroc genotypes, was assessed. Three groups of 10 pigs, each (5 males and 5 females) from different genotypes, were studied: GEN1 = male Iberian x female Duroc1; GEN2 = male Duroc1 x female Iberian; and GEN3 = male Duroc2 x female Iberian. The genotype Duroc1 (DU1) corresponded to pigs selected for the production of dry-cured meat products (hams, loins, and shoulders), with a high level of fattening, while the genotype Duroc2 (DU2) corresponded to animals selected for meat production. Genotype slightly affected the volatile profiles of both dry-cured meat products, although dry-cured loin from GEN3 showed higher hexanal content. Dry-cured loin showed a volatile profile very different to that found in dry-cured ham. Volatile compounds of dry-cured meat products were mainly originated by lipid and protein degradation. Most of the volatile detected in both meat products came from lipid oxidation such as acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. In addition, a high proportion of volatile compounds from the Maillard reaction was found. Branched aldehydes and some sulfur and nitrogen compounds have their origin in the amino acids degradation by the Strecker reaction, while branched alcohols and acids come from the lipid oxidation of branched aldehydes. Dry-cured ham showed a higher number and a higher level of compounds with origin in protein and lipid degradation than dry-cured loin, which agrees with the longer ripening of the hams (24 months) with respect to the loins (4 months). In dry-cured loins, apart from these compounds, seasoning mixture provides high amount of volatiles, such as terpenes (from paprika and oregano) and sulfur compounds (from garlic), which have great importance in the overall aroma of this product.