Evaporation Temperature Alters Physicochemical Characteristics and Volatile Maillard Reaction Products of Non-Centrifugal Cane Sugar (NCS): Comparison of Polyethylene Membrane and Retronasal Aroma Simulator Techniques for the Extraction of Volatile Organic Compounds in NCS

Non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS) is produced from sugarcane syrup via thermal evaporation. This study aimed to assess the effects of different temperatures during the evaporation process on the physicochemical characteristics and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) of NCS. Evaporation was tested at three final heating temperatures (120, 130, and 140 °C). The moisture content, water activity, L*a*b* color spaces, and ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) values of the NCS were determined. Volatile MRPs of NCS were extracted using polyethylene (PE) membrane and retronasal aroma simulator (RAS) techniques, and their components were measured using gas chromatography. A higher evaporation temperature produced NCS with less moisture content and water activity. However, it also led to a darker color, as indicated by lower L* (brightness) and b* (yellow) values in the color spaces. Additionally, higher evaporation temperatures resulted in greater ICUMSA values. Moreover, higher heating increased the amounts of volatile MRPs, such as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, 2-furanmethanol, 2-methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,6-dimethylpyrazine. Negative correlations were observed between moisture content, water activity, brightness, yellow color, and the total MRPs obtained by PE and RAS extractions. Additionally, positive and significant correlations were confirmed between ICUMSA values and most MRPs. Thus, the evaporation temperature alters the key physicochemical traits and volatile compounds of NCS, affecting its physical stability and flavor quality.