The influence of epicatechin (EC) on off-flavor development in low-heat skim milk powder samplesduring processing and storage was investigated. Milk powder samples were prepared from aconcentrated skim milk (control) plus a concentrated skim milk with EC (treatment). Volatile extractsof the powders were analyzed by aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) at 0 days and after 17months of storage in conjunction with sensory analysis of the flavor attributes. The treatment milkpowders with EC added prior to drying reported a reduction in the formation of three main compounds,
4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2H)-furanone,
o-
aminoacetophenone, and furfural, by 8-,
4-, and
4-foldfor the 0 day old samples, while for the 17 month aged samples
o-
aminoacetophenone was themajor compound reduced in formation by 8-fold, respectively, based on the flavor dilution factorsreported. The sensory evaluations indicated that the treatment milk powders for 0 day old and 17month aged samples were statistically lower (
= 0.05) in stale flavor intensity in comparison to therespective control samples, while no differences were noted in bitterness intensity.Keywords: Skim milk powder; nonfat dried milk; AEDA; epicatechin; stale; aroma; flavor; reduction