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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (3): 193-200.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250166

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preparation of Smoke Flavorings of Cunninghamia lanceolata by Superheated Steam Distillation-Cracking and their Composition Analysis

Jiaqi Cai1,Xueping Zhang1,Ping Mao2,Jing Yang3,Senwen Yu4,Kai Zhu1,Kui Zhang1,5,Xu Wang3,*(),Haijun Xu1,*()   

  1. 1. College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
    2. Nanjing Ouya Essence and Spice Co., Ltd. Nanjing 210012
    3. Shanghai New Tobacco Product Research Institute Co., Ltd. Shanghai 200082
    4. Shanghai Tobacco Group Co., Ltd. Shanghai 200082
    5. International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2025-03-25 Revised:2025-07-23 Online:2026-03-15 Published:2026-03-12
  • Contact: Xu Wang,Haijun Xu E-mail:wangx@sh.tobacco.com.cn;xuhaijun@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective: In response to the issues of low utilization efficiency of processing residues (such as Chinese fir roots and chips) generated throughout the Chinese fir industrial chain, as well as the challenges of low yield and poor quality of traditional processing techniques for the preparation of smoke flavorings, the integrated technology of superheated steam distillation-cracking process (SSD-CP) was proposed in this study. This study aims to provide innovative solutions for the efficient and high-value utilization of Chinese fir processing residues through directional thermal conversion. Method: In this study, Chinese fir chips were used as the raw material, and experiments were conducted using a self-designed SSD-CP integrated system (including a steam generator, superheating device, cracking unit, and multi-stage condensation system). The distillates at 150–350 ℃ were collected, and the smoke flavoring was obtained by extracting the distillate, dehydrating it, and rotating evaporation to remove the solvent. The chemical composition of the smoke flavorings was analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and the aroma characteristics were systematically evaluated. Comparative assessments were conducted to assess differences in product yield and quality between steam distillation and dry distillation methods. Result: The smoke flavorings prepared via SSD-CP achieved a yield of 29.45%, which was 39 times higher than that of steam distillation (0.76%) and 4 times higher than that of dry distillation (6.94%), demonstrating a significant enhancement in resource conversion efficiency. The key aroma-contributing components were identified through GC-MS analysis, including α-cedrene, cedrol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, β-cedrene, isoeugenol, guaiacol, α-terpineol, 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, and 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde. In a high-temperature environment, cedrol was able to be converted into alkenes, and cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin generated heterocyclic and phenolic substances through chemical reactions such as pyrolysis and rearrangement, which impart the flavor with strong smoke characteristics. Sensory evaluation revealed that the SSD-CP smoke flavorings presented dominant smoky, caramelized, and woody notes with a subtle cooling sensation, featuring overall transparency and long-lasting. Conclusion: The SSD-CP technology significantly improves the yield of smoke flavorings, and the quality fraction and aroma of its main aroma components are better than those produced by the traditional technology. The technology results in the characteristic aroma of the smoke flavorings with the core of smoky, caramelized, and woody notes. A transformation system of “wood waste to smoke flavorings” has been constructed, and the efficient and high-value utilization of Chinese fir processing residues has been successfully realized.

Key words: Chinese fir chips, smoke flavorings, superheated steam distillation-cracking process integrated technology, composition analysis, comprehensive utilization

CLC Number: