Using one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) quantitative proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (q NMR) for the identification and quantification of taste compounds in raw onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs and in aqueous solutions where onion tissues are soaked.

Solutions obtained by soaking onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs samples in water are frequently consumed, either directly or as part of dishes, both at home or in the food industry. However, little information is available regarding the extracted metabolites and the extraction mechanisms. In this article, the composition of raw onion extracts and of aqueous solutions where raw onion tissues were soaked was investigated directly by quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (q (1)H NMR). The assignment of NMR signals was performed, with less than 3% (in area) of unidentified peaks. Analyses of one-dimensional (1)H NMR spectra with additional two-dimensional NMR studies showed 20 regions of interest where 3 saccharides, 17 amino acids, and 5 organic acids were detected and quantified. Resonance assignment with chemical shift was done for each saccharide, as well as for each amino acid and organic acid, with additional work on spin-spin coupling pattern and on observed and not observed correlations from correlation spectroscopy studies. Quantification of saccharides was performed and qualified by works on peak decomposition algorithms. Complementary studies by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and tandem mass spectroscopy, and thin layer chromatography and preparative layer chromatography were carried out in order to validate the NMR results on identification.