Unlocking Flavor Complexity Through Multi-Omics Integration: From Molecular Basis to Sensory Perception

Omics technologies have provided unprecedented insights into the molecular basis of flavor. However, the true potential of these technologies is realized through their integration, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of flavor development from molecular origins to sensory perception. This review explores the latest advancements in multi-omics integration (e.g. metabolomics, lipidomics, metagenomics) to map the complex flavor pathways across diverse food categories, including meat, tea, alcohol, and condiments. We evaluate how this approach deciphers the impact of factors like processing, fermentation, and cultivar variety on flavor formation. We also discuss the critical challenges in the field, such as the management of multi-dimensional data. Finally, this review provides a forward-looking perspective on leveraging multi-omics with machine learning to enable the predictive design of flavors, ultimately leading to the development of products that better align with consumer preferences.