The color-forming potential of carbonyl compounds from liquid smoke so
lutions with selected amino acids was determined with a colorimetric p
rocedure used in industry and compared with a color analysis on filter
paper discs. The two methods provided different evaluations of formed
colors. Of the carbonyls tested, glycolaldehyde, methylglyoxal and gl
yoxal showed significant browning potential, while formaldehyde and hy
droxyacetone showed very little color formation. Measurement of browni
ng potential of amino acids varied between the procedures. The disc as
say procedure enabled better characterization of smoke colors produced
.