Huajiao (Zanthoxylum) from different regions varies in pungency features. The objective of this study was to explore the reasons for the differences. Temporal check-all-that-apply (TCATA) and time-intensity (TI)) were used to determine time-related pungency features of huajiao and sanshools. The compositions of sanshools in huajiao were measured by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). TI results revealed that hydroxy-γ-sanshool tingling and numbing duration (1332.00 ± 50.91 and 1020.00 ± 61.19 s, respectively) were about twice that of hydroxy-α-sanshool (720.00 ± 25.92 and 584.00 ± 22.63 s, respectively). Tingling and numbing were not perceived by hydroxy-β-sanshool and hydroxy-γ-isosanshool. HPLC results showed that HαSS was the main component of huajiao sanshools, representing 71.06 % to 92.90 %. TCATA results revealed the pungency sensations appearance sequence: tingling, salivating, cooling, and burning appeared first, followed by vibrating, and numbing was perceived last. These findings revealed the relationship between the compositions of sanshool and the pungency features of huajiao.
Keywords: Partial least squares regression (PLSR); Pungency intensity; Sanshool; Temporal check-all-that-apply (TCATA); Time-intensity (TI); Zanthoxylum.
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