Production of sulfur flavors by ten strains of Geotrichum candidum

ABSTRACT Ten strains of Geotrichum candidum were studied on a liquid cheese model medium for the production of sulfur compounds which contribute to the aroma of cheeses. The volatile components produced by each cultured strain were extracted by dynamic headspace extractions, separated and quantified by gas chromatography (GC), and identified by GC-mass spectrometry. It was shown that four strains of this microorganism produced significant quantities of S -methyl thioacetate, S -methyl thiopropionate, S -methyl thiobutanoate, S -methyl thio iso butanoate, S -methyl thio iso valerate, and S -methyl thiohexanoate. This is the first example of the production of these compounds by a fungus. In a…