was noted in the sufu prodwas noted in the sufu
products as the fermentation period was extended. Among them,
ethyl linoleate, the most prominent ester, contributed approximately
58.8% of the total ester detected in the 46-day sufu. The presence of a
large number of various esters in sufu products suggests that most
fatty acids probably underwent esterification with the formation of
ethyl esters (25) during the fermentation of enzyme-ripened sufu.
Most esters have a distinctive quality and fruit-like odor. The esters
with more desirable aromas found in sufu products are ethyl
octanoate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl oleate and ethyl linoleate.
These are all described to have a general fruity and floral odor with
other aromatic notes such as pineapple, coconut and honey (10, 26).ucts as the fermentation period was extended