Identification and evaluation of fishy odorants produced by four algae separated from drinking water source during low temperature period: Insight into odor characteristics and odor contribution of fishy odor-producing algae

Disgusting fishy odor could break out inside oligotrophic drinking waterbody in winter with low temperature. Nevertheless, fishy odor-producing algae and corresponding fishy odorants were not very clear, odor contribution of fishy odorant and odor-producing algae to overall odor profile were also not well understood. In this study, the fishy odorants, produced by four algae separated from Yanlong Lake, were identified simultaneously. Odor contribution of identified odorant, separated algae to overall fishy odor profile were both evaluated. The results indicated Yanlong Lake was mainly associated with fishy odor (flavor profile analysis (FPA) intensity: 6), eight, five, five and six fishy odorants were identified and determined in Cryptomonas ovate, Dinobryon sp., Synura uvella, Ochromonas sp., respectively, which were separated and cultured from water source. Totally sixteen odorants with concentration range of 90-880 ng/L, including hexanal, heptanal, 2,4-heptadienal, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, 2-octenal, 2,4-octadienal, nonanal, 2-nonenal, 2,6-nonadienal, decanal, 2-decenal, 2,4decadienal, undecanal, 2-tetradecanone, were verified in separated algae and associated with fishy odor. Although more odorants' odor activity value (OAV) were lower than one, approximately 89%, 91%, 87%, 90% of fishy odor intensities could be explained by reconstituting identified odorants for Cryptomonas ovate, Dinobryon sp., Synura uvella, Ochromonas sp., respectively, suggesting synergistic effect could exist among identified odorants. By calculating and evaluating total odorant production, total odorant OAV and cell odorant yield of separated algae, odor contribution rank to overall fishy odor should be Cryptomonas ovate (28.19%), Dinobryon sp. (27.05%), Synura uvella (24.27%), Ochromonas sp. (20.49%). This is the first study for identifying fishy odorants from four actually separated odor-producing algae simultaneously, this is also for the first time evaluating and explaining odor contribution of identified odorant, separated algae to overall odor profile comprehensively, this study will supply more understanding for controlling and managing fishy odor in drinking water

Automated summary

A study identified fishy odorants produced by four algae separated from Yanlong Lake and evaluated their contribution to fishy odor profile. It found that Cryptomonas ovate, Dinobryon sp., Synura uvella, and Ochromonas sp. were associated with fishy odor. Sixteen odorants were verified in the separated algae and were linked to fishy odor. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of controlling and managing fishy odor in drinking water.