Differences in concentration of five major oak volatiles including eugenol, cis-oak lactone, trans-oak lactone, vanillin, syringaldehyde were analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer from the oak staves which were aged by two different methods ...
Differences in concentration of five major oak volatiles including eugenol, cis-oak lactone, trans-oak lactone, vanillin, syringaldehyde were analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer from the oak staves which were aged by two different methods such as open-air (air seasoning) and warehouse (non-air-seasoned). Samples for the analysis were obtained by shaving from the different surfaces and depth of the aged staves. The highest levels of major volatiles, particularly cis-oak lactone were observed from the samples taken in the second layer from the bottom side of the air-seasoned staves. Samples from the side of the staves, both air-seasoned and non-air-seasoned showed the lowest levels of the major volatiles. trans-Oak lactone was absent in the surface of the top layer irrespective of the seasoning methods. Interestingly, the oak staves seasoned in warehouse (non-air-seasoned) also showed a relatively high levels of the major volatiles. This study indicates that seasoning methods can have a significant effect on the concentration of the major oak volatiles.