# Decoding the medicinal aromatic characteristic of Zhuyeqing and gaining new insight into sotolon

## TL;DR

This study identifies key aroma compounds in Zhuyeqing, a medicinal liquor, and reveals how sotolon's enantiomers influence its medicinal scent.

## Contribution

The enantioselective distribution of sotolon in Zhuyeqing and its correlation with medicinal aroma are newly elucidated.

## Key findings

- 25 sensorially active compounds were identified in the medicinal aroma fraction of Zhuyeqing.
- Eugenol, sotolon, and trans-isoeugenol are key compounds affecting the medicinal aroma.
- The enantioselective distribution of sotolon correlates with medicinal aroma attenuation.

## Abstract

Zhuyeqing is made from Fenjiu base liquor infused with extracts from 12 Chinese herbs. Its medicinal aroma is a unique feature of Zhuyeqing. However, this particular characteristic has not yet been thoroughly studied. Utilizing a normal phase liquid chromatography-sensomics-integrated strategy, we sequentially identified 110 potential odorants in the fraction with characteristic medicinal aroma via GC × GC-TOF MS, then these compounds were narrowed down to 25 sensorially active compounds through GC-O validation. Quantitative analysis identified 10 odorants with odor activity values (OAVs) ≥ 1. Omission experiments indicated that eugenol, sotolon, trans-isoeugenol, guaiacol, anisaldehyde, and acetoin were the key aroma compounds affecting the medicinal characteristic. Innovatively, we revealed the enantioselective distribution patterns of sotolon in Zhuyeqing and elucidated its dynamic evolution correlated with medicinal aroma attenuation. This study establishes the first molecular-level scientific framework for quality modulation of Zhuyeqing, bridging theoretical insights with practical applications.

•The medicinal aroma characteristics of Zhuyeqing were evaluated using sensomics.•A total of 25 odorants were identified in the typical medicinal aroma fraction.•The key medicinal aroma compounds of Zhuyeqing were confirmed.•The composed ratios of (R)- and (S)-sotolon affected the medicinal aroma of Zhuyeqing.•The (R)- and (S)-sotolon ratios in Zhuyeqing are not impacted by the bottled vintage.

The medicinal aroma characteristics of Zhuyeqing were evaluated using sensomics.

A total of 25 odorants were identified in the typical medicinal aroma fraction.

The key medicinal aroma compounds of Zhuyeqing were confirmed.

The composed ratios of (R)- and (S)-sotolon affected the medicinal aroma of Zhuyeqing.

The (R)- and (S)-sotolon ratios in Zhuyeqing are not impacted by the bottled vintage.