Discrimination of Chinese vinegars based on headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography mass spectrometry of volatile compounds and multivariate analysis.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied for the determination of the characteristic volatile profiles of Chinese vinegars. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), were used to characterize the different Chinese vinegars by types, fermentation method, and production area. A total of 56 volatile compounds were identified, including 15 esters, 10 aldehydes, 5 acids, 12 alcohols, 5 ketones, 4 volatile phenols, 2 pyrazines, and 3 miscellaneous compounds.