Abstract:To explore the impacts of different stabilization treatments on the flavor components of rice bran, this study employed an electronic nose and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GCTOFMS), combined with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and relative odor activity value (ROAV) evaluation to systematically analyze the changes in volatile flavor compounds of rice bran. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the effects of different stabilization methods on the flavor of rice bran. A total of 99 volatile aroma compounds were detected, including 6 aldehydes, 10 ketones, 22 alkanes, 12 alcohols, 28 terpenes, 8 esters, and 13 other compounds. Among them, infrared treatment had minimal impact on rice bran flavor, while high-pressure steam treatment effectively reduced the off-flavor (indole) in rice bran. Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) identified 23 potential differential substances, with significant decreases being found in the relative contents of potential differential substances such as geranylacetone and (-)-limonene in the rice bran after four different stabilization treatments. The ROAV values revealed that the key flavor substances (ROAV>1) in rice bran decreased after the stabilization treatments like baking, microwaving, and high-pressure steaming. Eight substances, including 2-n-pentylfuran, methylheptenone, and citronellene, were identified as the key flavor compounds contributing to the differences in flavor among the rice bran samples subjected to different stabilization methods. This study conducted a differential analysis of volatile flavor substances in rice bran subjected to different stabilization methods, providing a theoretical basis for enhancing the added value and quality of rice bran products.