The Packaging and Irradiation Effects on Volatile Compounds of Red Pepper Powder

The packaging and irradiation effects on the volatile compounds of red pepper powder were investigated. The red pepper powder (Capsicum annuum) was prepackaged in vacuum (PE/Nylon film bag), and irradiated with the dose of 0, 3, 5 or 7 kGy at 0$^{\circ}C$. The odor of irradiated red pepper powder was classified into 4 groups (0, 3, 5, and 7 kGy) by electronic nose using metal oxide sensors, and the volatile compounds developed by irradiation were analyzed by GC-MS along with solid phase microextraction. Hexanoic acid and tetramethyl pyrazine, which were found in red pepper powder of 0 kGy, disappeared in irradiated red pepper powder. Further, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-benzene was detected by GC-MS as a new developed volatile compound in irradiated red pepper, and this compound was identified to be originated from packaging material not from red pepper powder. This study showed that off-odor from packaging materials was responsible for the volatiles produced from dried food treated with irradiation.