Rapid analysis of VOCs with SIFT-MS as a decision-making support tool for caviar producers

International audience ; This work was an exploratory study on caviar products using selected ion flow tube - mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) analysis of volatile organic compound profiles. The main objective was to look for the principal contributing factors that drove the volatile profile and the sensory perception of caviar. France is the fourth largest world producer of caviar and is currently trying to obtain a protected geographical indication (PGI) label “Caviar d’Aquitaine” that will characterize traditional know-how and ethical farming practices. Over a one-year period, we performed untargeted selected ion flow tube - mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) measurements and sensory analysis of 51 samples of caviar from Prunier Manufacture. We conducted statistical analyses to look for correlations with aquaculture, processes, storage and sensory factors. Thus, we highlighted the great impact on SIFT-MS profiles of the sturgeon species, the production sites, the underlying water quality, the relation between seasonality of the production and “milky” sensory perception and finally the effect of the storage time on global product quality. This preliminary work demonstrated the potential of SIFT-MS to serve as a strategic decision-making support tool for sturgeon producers.