Photochemical reactions of flavor compounds

Photochemical reaction is a chemical reaction which is initiated by light. In addition to light, photosensitizer and oxygen are the two important factors which contribute to the formation of photochemical products. In this contribution, photochemical reactions of flavor compounds are classified into four categories according to the factors of photosensitizer and oxygen. Photochemical reaction with or without sensitizer in the absence of oxygen and unsensitized photochemical reaction in the presence of oxygen usually involve free radical reactions; while in the presence of oxygen and sensitizer, the singlet oxygen can be generated that then reacts with flavor compounds which contain double bonds to give the oxygenated products.