Effect of Soybean Varieties and Growing Locations on the Flavor of Soymilk

The volatile compounds of soymilk prepared from 5 soybean varieties grown in 2 locations were isolated and separated by a dynamic headspace analyzer and capillary gas chromatography. The coefficient of variation for the quantitative analysis of volatile compounds of soymilk by dynamic headspace analysis was less than 3.0%. Soybean varieties and growing locations had significant effects on the volatile compounds of the batches of soymilk at α= 0.05. The higher the soybean protein, the higher was the volatile compounds of soymilk. Correlation coefficient between the protein content and the volatile compounds of the milk was 0.99. Thirty‐eight volatile compounds of soymilk were identified by a combination of mass spectrometry and gas chromatographic retention times of standard compounds. Most of the identified compounds were formed by the lipid oxidation of soymilk. However, 2‐pentylfuran, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl sulfide were formed by singlet oxygen. The beany or green flavor that makes the soymilk unpleasant or unacceptable to Westerners may be due to 2‐pentylfuran, which is formed from linoleic acid by singlet oxygen. The beany flavor can be eliminated by processing the soymilk with a minimum exposure to light and air.