Unraveling the relationship between aroma characteristics and lipid profile of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) during seasonal fluctuation and thermal processing

Abalone, a highly sought-after aquatic product, possesses significant nutritional value. In this study, the relationship between aroma characteristics and lipid profile of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) during seasonal fluctuation and thermal processing were profiled via volatolomics and lipidomics. 46 aroma compounds and 371 lipids were identified by HS-SPME-GC–MS and UPLC-Q-Extractive Orbitrap-MS, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that carbonyls (aldehydes and ketones) and alcohols were the characteristic aroma compounds of abalone. The fluctuations in the aroma compound and lipid composition of abalone were consistent with the seasonal variation, especially seawater temperature. In addition, based on the correlation analysis, it was found that carbonyls (aldehydes and ketones) and alcohols had a positive correlation with phospholipids (lysophosphatidylethanolamines and lysophosphatidylcholines), while a negative correlation was observed with fatty acyls. These findings suggested that the effect of seasonal variations on the aroma changes of abalone might achieved by modulating the lipids composition of abalone. •Carbonyls and alcohols were the characteristic aroma components of abalone.•The variation of abalone lipid accumulation was consistent with seasonal shifts.•Carbonyls and alcohols were positively correlated with PLs and negatively with FAs.•Seasonal variations in abalone lipid accumulation determined its aroma composition.