In the last years, there has been a growing demand by consumers for foods combining an increased nutritional value and benefits on human health. Butter enriched in unsaturated fatty acids/conjugated linoleic acids (UFA/CLA) could become a food with added value for its increased content in essential fatty acids, in vitamins and CLA, which has been reported to show potential anticarcinogenic and cholesterol lowering effects.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the sensory and odour profiles of UFA/CLA enriched butter in comparison to conventional butter.
Their fatty acid composition, vitamin and metal ion contents were determined in both kinds of butter. Descriptive sensory analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled to olfactometry (GC/MS/O) were applied to UFA/CLA enriched and conventional butter. The UFA/CLA enriched butter contained significantly higher CLA than conventional butter. α-Tocopherol and iron contents were also significantly higher in UFA/CLA enriched butter. The sensory profile of the UFA/CLA enriched butter showed a less intense creamy odour and cooked milk aroma than conventional butter. UFA/CLA enriched butter revealed a better spreadability. The olfactometric results of the fresh butter samples indicated that the enriched butter had more intense green, sulphury and fruity notes, due to (Z)-3-hexenol, dimethyl disulphide, 2-phenylethyl acetate and δ-decalactone, respectively, compared to conventional butter
