Abstract: The effect of chrysin on the Maillard reaction between synthetic alliin and fructose was investigated. The results showed that chrysin could slightly increase the production of hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). It was found that chrysin inhibited the decomposition of alliin with a decomposition percentage of only 10.1% compared with 25.0% for the control. In the earlier stage of the reaction, chrysin facilitated the production of diallyl sulfide, a major volatile sulfur-containing compound. In the later stage, the effect of chrysin on alliin decomposition was minimal leading to 68.2% decomposition of alliin with the production of a mixture of diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide. HMF greatly promoted the decomposition of alliin, resulting in almost 100% decomposition of alliin after 5 hours of reaction. Therefore, HMF could be deemed as a catalyst for the process.

Key words: chrysin, alliin, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), Maillard reaction