the approximate number of volatile organic compounds detected in the analysis of the aroma of fried bacon.these were mainlyhydrocarbonsaldehydes,ketones and alcohols,but nitrgen-containing compounds such as pyridines and pyrazines,and oxygen-containing furans were also present. when heated,sugars in bacon react with amino acids,known as the maillardreaction.
this along with thermal breakdown of fats,leads to the production of the compounds that in turn cause cooking bacon's aroma.these compoundscan be detected using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. hydrocarbons
aldehydes
alcohols
ketones
nitrogen-containing aromatics
oxygen-containing aromatics
other organic compounds
nitrogen containing aromatic compounds such as pyridines & pyrazines have a differing odourindependently, but their presence in combinationwithother compounds is likely to be a major contributor to the characteristic odour of bacon.
other compounds
compounds such as furans and pyridines, which have already been isolated as causing meaty aromas in other meats, are present in bacon and also contribute to it's smell.
Nitrogen-containing compounds
2.5-dimethyl pyrazine
2-ethyl-3.5-dimethyl pyrazine
2-pentylfan