Quest International B.v.

Quest International Services B.v.

Quest International B.v. & Quest International Services B.v.

Nico Bouter

Harry Renes

Chris Winkel

Jan Visser

Bart Johan Ruisch

Wolfgang Fitz

Josef Kerler

Jan Bakker

The present invention in a first aspect relates to taste improvement of foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products, using a substance according to formula (I), or edible salts thereof: formula (I): R&#x2014;CR(OR)&#x2014;CO&#x2014;X. It was found that substances represented by formula (I) are capable of modifying and complementing, the sensory impact of taste imparting substances. Thus, the present taste improving substances are advantageously applied in flavour compositions, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, tobacco products and oral care products. Typical examples of taste improving substances according to the present invention include N-lactoyl GMP, N-lactoyl AMP, N-lactoyl CMP, N-lactoyl IMP, N-gluconyl GMP, N-gluconyl AMP, N-gluconyl CMP, N-gluconyl IMP, O-lactoyl-GMP, O-lactoyl AMP, O-lactoyl CMP, O-lactoyl IMP, O-gluconyl GMP, N-gluconyl AMP, O-gluconyl CMP and O-gluconyl IMP and the mixtures thereof.

Taste improving substances

The present invention in a first aspect relates to taste improvement of foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products, using extremely small amounts of a substance according to formula (I), or edible salts thereof: R&#x2014;CR(OR)&#x2014;CO&#x2014;X (I). It was found that at very low concentrations, substances represented by formula (I) are capable of modifying and complementing, the sensory impact of taste imparting substances. Thus, the present taste improving substances are advantageously applied in flavour compositions, foodstuffs, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products. Typical examples of taste improving substances according to the present invention include N-lactoyl GMP, N-lactoyl AMP, N-lactoyl CMP, N-lactoyl IMP, N-gluconyl GMP, N-gluconyl AMP, N-gluconyl CMP, N-gluconyl IMP, O-lactoyl-GMP, O-lactoyl AMP, O-lactoyl CMP, O-lactoyl IMP, O-gluconyl GMP, O-gluconyl AMP, O-gluconyl CMP and O-gluconyl IMP and mixtures thereof.

NEW MATERIAL: A compound of formula I (R is 1&#x2dc;6C alkyl other than ethyl, 2&#x2dc;6C alkenyl). EXAMPLE: 2-Methyl 2-mercaptopropionate. USE: A durable flavor and taste imparting agent usable for foods, drinks, cosmetics, healthy and hygienic use, medicines, etc. PROCESS: A 2-mercaptopropionic acid of formula II (R' is H, 1&#x2dc;6C alkyl or 2&#x2dc;6C alkenyl) is esterified with an aliphatic alcohol of the formula R&#x2032;(OH) in the presence of a catalyst, e.g. an inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid or organic acid such as acetic acid, in an azeotropic solvent, e.g. benzene, at 60&#x2dc;100&#xb0; C. to give the compound of formula I easily in high purity and yield. The molar amount of the aliphatic alcohol to be used is 1&#x2dc;20 times, preferably 2&#x2dc;5 times, that of the compound of formula II. The amount of the catalyst to be used is 0.1&#x2dc;10 wt % based on the compound of formula II. 

Flavouring a foodstuff by incorporating an effective amount of at least one compound of the formula R1-S-R2 in which R1 and R2 represent a specific atom or group

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Blaricum, Netherlands

Nico Bouter