Abstract: In this study, the three-alternative forced-choice (3-AFC) method was used to determine the odor thresholds of three important aroma compounds in Msalais wine including 5-methylfurfural (5-MF), 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) and 3-methylthiopropanol (3-MTP), and the S-curve and the σ-τ plot were used to analyze the binary interaction of these compounds. The threshold values of 5-MF, DMHF and 3-MTP in simulated wine with an alcohol content of 12% were 190.000, 45.000 and 382.000 μg/L, respectively, and those in dearomatized Msalais wine with 12% alcohol content (sugar contents of 7.4–7.9 °Brix) were 97.580, 798.950 and 196.533 μg/L, respectively. In addition, it was found that sugar contents of dearomatized Msalais wine (with 12% alcohol content) in the range of 7.4–7.9 °Brix and 6.4–7.9 °Brix had little effect on the thresholds of the three aroma compounds. There was no significant difference in the thresholds of these aroma compounds in dearomatized Msalais wine (with sugar contents of 7.4–7.9 °Brix) with 8%, 10%, 12% and 14% alcohol contents. The binary mixtures of these compounds in simulated wine with 12% alcohol content and in dearomatized Msalais with sugar contents of 7.4–7.9 °Brix and 12% alcohol content showed additive effects in the S-curve and the σ-τ plot.

Key words: Msalais wine; aroma threshold; S-curve; σ-τ plot; synergy