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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
GC-based Detection of Aldononitrile Acetate Derivatized Glucosamine and Muramic Acid for Microbial Residue Determination in Soil
Published on: May 19, 2012
Iron (Fe(2+))-Catalyzed Glucosamine Browning at 50 °C: Identification and Quantification of Major Flavor Compounds
Yuliya Hrynets1, Abhishek Bhattacherjee1, Maurice Ndagijimana1
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta , 410 Agriculture/Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
Abstract:
Glucosamine browning at 50 °C with (GlcN/Fe(2+)) or without iron (GlcN) was studied over time from 0 to 48 h. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2, and (1)O2, along with α-dicarbonyls, fructosazine, and deoxyfructosazine, was evaluated. Singlet oxygen generation increased over time and was greater in GlcN/Fe(2+) caramel solution. The presence of iron significantly increased the concentration of α-dicarbonyls at an early incubation time (3 h). Fructosazine and deoxyfructosazine were the major degradation products at 48 h comprising together up to 37 and 49% in GlcN and GlcN/Fe(2+), respectively. GlcN/Fe(2+) (48 h) exhibited a MIC50 against highly heat-resistant Escherichia coli AW 1.7 at pH 5, but not at pH 7. Despite several antimicrobial compounds being produced during browning, GlcN/Fe(2+) created a synergistic environment for the fructosazine-organic acids to confer their antimicrobial activity. GlcN caramel solutions have the potential to serve as both flavoring compounds and antimicrobial agents in formulated food systems.
