Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2026

Tea Aroma Analysis Based on Solvent-Assisted Flavor Evaporation Enrichment
Published on: May 26, 2023
Carotenoid degradation and derived volatile formation during long-term tea aging
Yuan Lu1, Zhibin Liu2, Weiying Su1
1College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China; Institute of Food Science & Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China.
Abstract:
Carotenoids are important aroma precursors in tea, yet their transformation behavior and sensory contributions during long-term aging remain unclear. In particular, the dynamic degradation patterns of carotenoids and their role in the formation of carotenoid-derived volatile compounds throughout extended tea aging have not been systematically investigated. Here, carotenoid profiles and carotenoid-derived volatiles were systematically investigated in Tieguanyin (TGY) tea aged for 0, 5, 8, and 12 years. Using targeted UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS and HS-SPME/GC-MS analyses, 21 carotenoids and 15 carotenoid-derived volatiles were identified and quantified. Natural aging caused pronounced, time-dependent carotenoid depletion, with more than 99% loss after 12 years. Concurrently, most carotenoid-derived volatiles accumulated progressively, exhibiting high OAVs and strong positive correlations with aging duration. An "in-leaf" thermal degradation model further validated the contribution of carotenoid degradation to volatile formation and revealed distinct degradation behaviors between natural aging and thermal treatment. Natural aging favored the accumulation of upstream cleavage products, whereas thermal treatment induced rapid breakdown and preferential formation of downstream oxidation products, with β-carotene and lutein following different degradation pathways. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into the origin of carotenoid-derived volatiles in aged tea.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Autoxidation
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives
Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Keto–Enol Tautomerism: Mechanism
Regioselective Formation of Enolates

