Traditional Japanese confection overseas: Cultural difference and retronasal aroma affect flavor preference and umami perception

Food cultures differ among countries and regions. Yokan, a traditional Japanese confection, is culturally familiar to Japanese people but unfamiliar to Westerners. We investigated the effect of cultural differences and retronasal aroma on flavor preference for and taste perception of yokan among Japanese and German participants. As a control food, we also used the marshmallow, which is culturally familiar to both Japanese and German participants. Participants evaluated their preference for flavor as well as the intensity of the five basic taste qualities and retronasal aroma under the nostril-open and nostril-closed conditions. The retronasal aroma of a culturally familiar food significantly increased preference for flavor, whereas the retronasal aroma of a culturally unfamiliar food did not affect preference for flavor. Moreover, for all taste qualities, retronasal aroma induced a similar magnitude of taste enhancement between culturally familiar and unfamiliar foods, suggesting that cultural familiarity with a food does not affect taste perception. However, the retronasal aroma induced significantly greater umami enhancement in Japanese participants than in German participants, suggesting an effect of cultural familiarity with specific taste qualities on taste perception. These findings indicate that cultural differences and retronasal aroma affect flavor preference for and umami perception of food.     

Bitter taste of Brassica vegetables: The role of genetic factors,receptors, isothiocyanates,glucosinolates, and flavor context

ABSTRACT

It is well known that consumption of Brassica vegetables has beneficial effect on human's health. The greatest interest is focused on glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products isothiocyanates, due to their potential as cancer preventing compounds. Brassica vegetables are also rich in flavor compounds belonging to many chemical groups. The main sensory sensation related to these vegetable is their characteristic sharp and bitter taste, and unique aroma. Because of these features this group of vegetables is often rejected by consumers. Interestingly, for some people unpleasant sensations are not perceived, suggesting a potential role of inter-individual variability in bitter taste perception and sensibility. Receptors responsible for bitter sensation with the emphasis on Brassica are reviewed, as well as genetic predisposition for bitterness perception by consumers. Also the role of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates as compounds responsible for bitter taste is discussed based on data from the field of food science and molecular biology. Isothiocyanates are shown in broaded context of flavor compounds also contributing to the aroma of Brassica vegetables.     

Interactions between flavor compounds and food ingredients and their influence on flavor perception

Interactions between flavor compounds and food ingredients are reviewed and their influence on flavor perception is discussed. Proteins are known to bind flavor compounds. For β-lactoglobulin, the most-studied example, hydrophobic interactions with volatiles are described. The effect of the medium on the conformation of the protein and its ability to bind flavor compounds is discussed. In general, the retention of volatiles by protein is much lower than that by fat. In emulsions, however, the presence of protein at the oil/water interface induces a significant effect on flavor release and flavor perception of hydrophobic flavor compounds. For starch, an extensively studied hydrocolloid, amylose has been shown to form complexes with aroma compounds. The physical state of carbohydrates is one parameter influencing flavor retention. However, the major effect of hydrocolloids seems to be a limitation for the diffusion of aroma compounds due to changes in viscosity. Addition of fat induces significant retention of hydrophobic flavor compounds resulting in noticeable effects on flavor perception. Changing the fat content modifies the overall perception of a mixture of flavor compounds from different chemical classes. The melting point of the fats influences the solubility of aromas and thus the flavor release. Emulsification and droplet size also affect flavor release and perception. More research is required on the effects of real food samples containing mixtures of different flavor compounds.     

食品的滋味研究(上)

食品的风味主要是由香气、滋味、口感等所构成，而滋味则是决定食品品质的一个重要因素。本文对各种味觉的形成机理、食品中的重要呈味物质等进行了综述，并详细介绍了鲜味物质间的相互作用，此外还介绍了几种味感改性物质。     

基于感官导向的香荚兰特征风味物质分析及重构

采用顶空固相微萃取结合气相色谱-质谱联用法分析香荚兰提取物挥发性香气成分组成。以感官为导向,利用嗅觉阈值、香气活性值（odour active value,OAV）及香气重组实验研究香荚兰提取物特征风味物质并进行重构。结果表明,香荚兰提取物中共检出83种香气成分,与香荚兰提取物特征风味密切相关的奶香、甜香、酸香、膏香、焦香、豆香和辛香香韵特征成分共有34种。基于OAV判断香兰素、4-(乙氧基甲基)苯酚、愈创木酚、乙酸、4-乙烯基愈创木酚、香草醇乙醚等14种化合物为香荚兰提取物特征风味的关键贡献成分。14种关键贡献成分的重组样品具有香荚兰样的奶香、甜香、烟熏香和酸香,香荚兰特征香气风格辨识度明显,与香荚兰特征风味天然香原料的感官相似度达92.33%。香兰素、4-(乙氧基甲基)苯酚、愈创木酚、乙酸、4-乙烯基愈创木酚、香草醇乙醚、乳酸乙酯等14种化合物被鉴定为香荚兰特征风味物质,可作为香荚兰特征风味天然香原料质控的关键指标,也可为复配重构香荚兰特征风味添加剂提供物质基础。     

pH值对牛肉酶解物美拉德产物风味特性的影响

本研究旨在探讨pH值(5.0~6.5)对牛肉酶解物美拉德反应产物(enzymic beef hydrolysate Maillard reaction product,EBH-MRP)风味特性的影响。结果表明:随着pH值的增加,EBH-MRP的感官特性主要从肉香、咸鲜味向烤香、苦味发展,对空白鸡汤的鲜味提升作用由强至弱,醇厚感提升作用稳步增强。苦味与烤香间存在显著的正相关关系,过度的烤香不仅掩盖肉香,还意味着苦味物质的生成,抑制味蕾对鲜味、鲜味提升作用及醇厚感的感知强度。结合风味物质含量的测定发现,肉香既不与重要前驱物半胱氨酸(Cys)的参与量具有相关性,也不与关键肉香味物质的含量具有相关性。说明肉香的感知是多类气味物质共同调控的结果,且生成机制极为复杂。此外,含氮杂环气味物质的总含量与烤香间有着极显著的正相关关系;大于3 000 D的糖肽交联产物对苦味具有一定贡献;适当的肽降解作用有利于醇厚感的提升。     

后鼻腔香气感知影响因素及其分析方法研究进展

后鼻腔香气感知是食品口腔加工过程中的一种重要感官体验,对消费者的食品感官享受、接受度以及行为学特征有重要影响。本文综述了遗传变异和饮食文化差异对香气认知和感知能力的影响;食品的基本性质和口腔加工生理参数对后鼻腔香气感知的影响;鼻气流和鼻腔生理结构对香气从口腔传递至后鼻腔的重要作用,并总结了后鼻腔香气检测和动态香气感官评价方法。后鼻腔香气感知与味觉、口腔触觉等多种感官存在跨模交互作用,明确后鼻腔香气感知机制对实现食品配方设计和口腔加工过程中风味感知的靶向调控有重要意义。     

气味与滋味间相互作用对食品风味感知影响研究进展

食品风味是影响消费者购买欲的重要因素,而风味感知的形成受嗅觉、味觉等多种感官的共同影响,利用气味与滋味间感知交互作用改善食品风味已成为最受关注的食品风味调控新方向之一。基于此,本文首先从神经生物学角度分析嗅觉与味觉间跨模态感知交互作用的主要形成通路及机制,然后从静态感官分析和动态感官分析两个方面总结跨模态感知交互作用的主要研究方法,最后结合相关文献案例分别综述气味物质对味觉感知（甜、咸、苦、鲜和酸）以及滋味物质对嗅觉感知的影响,旨在为食品加工过程风味品质的调控提供新思路。     

模拟传统柴火烹饪方式对米饭食味及蛋白质营养特性的影响

研究不同烹制方式对米饭食味品质、蛋白质营养特性的影响。结果表明,烹制方式对米饭食味品质和蛋白质营养特性具有较大影响,快速米饭和柴火米饭比传统柴火米饭滋味好,硬度大、黏弹性好,挥发性风味物质种类多。传统柴火米饭醛、醇挥发性物质总量、必需氨基酸指数较高。电饭煲烹制方式对米饭香气、滋味、挥发性风味物质、还原糖、质地、氨基酸组成均具有较大影响,柴火米饭香气、滋味较好,醛、酮、醇、酚挥发性物质总量较高,且质地柔软黏弹、必需氨基酸指数最高。主成分分析提取了前4个主成分,累计方差贡献率达到88.22%,表明不同烹制方式米饭食味与营养品质可以分为非必需氨基酸组成、挥发性风味物质与必需氨基酸组成、外观特性和黏弹性、感官品质4类,主成分综合评分得分顺序由高到低分别是传统柴火米饭、柴火米饭、快速米饭。     

Volatile flavor release from foods during eating

Classical analyses for volatile flavors (headspace or distillation/extract methods) give information on either the volatiles present in the air above a food before eating or the total volatile composition of the food. When foods are eaten, however, many changes take place (such as hydration/dilution with saliva, increase in surface area, etc.) that affect the release of volatiles from the food and therefore the profile of volatiles that are sensed in the nose. If we wish to study the relationship between flavor volatiles and the sensory properties of a food, it seems logical to measure the volatile profile that exists during eating. Although volatile flavor release during eating has been measured using a variety of sensory and psychophysiological analyses, only recently have instrumental methods been developed to measure the release of volatile compounds in humans as they eat. Whereas the sensory data give an overall measure of flavor perception, instrumental analyses can potentially follow the release of each and every flavor volatile and thus give a full picture of the aroma profiles generated during eating. From these instrumental measurements, a number of key factors have been identified. First, it has been shown that the volatile profile measured during eating is indeed different from the headspace profile of whole foods. Second, it is clear that the volatile profile in‐mouth changes with time as the state of the food changes with chewing. Third, the volatile release from low‐water foods is affected by the rate and extent of hydration in‐mouth. The ability to measure aroma before, during, and after eating may lead to an understanding of the links between aroma release, interaction of volatiles with aroma sensors in the nose, and the overall perception of food flavor.     

The chemistry and physiology of sour taste--a review

ABSTRACT:  Sour taste is the key element in the flavor profile of food acidulants. Understanding the chemistry and physiology of sour taste is critical for efficient control of flavor in the formulation of acid and acidified foods. After a brief introduction to the main applications of food acidulants, several chemical parameters associated with sour taste are discussed. Special emphasis is given to hydrogen ions, protonated (undissociated) acid species, titratable acidity, anions, molar concentration, and physical and chemical properties of organic acids. This article also presents an overview of the physiology of sour taste and proposed theories for the transduction mechanisms for sour taste. The physiology of sour taste perception remains controversial and significant diversity exists among species with regard to cellular schemes used for detection of stimuli. The variety of mechanisms proposed, even within individual species, highlights the complexity of elucidating sour taste transduction. However, recent evidence suggests that at least one specific sour taste receptor protein has been identified.     

Scientific and Technical Aspects of Yogurt Aroma and Taste: A Review

Abstract: Yogurt is a basic dairy product that has been consumed for centuries as a part of the diet, even when its beneficial effects were neither fully known nor scientifically proven. With time, yogurt has been continuously modified to obtain a product with better appeal and nutritional effects. The flavor components of yogurt are affected because of these modifications. The present review article is focused on the influence of the different parameters and modifications on aroma and taste components of yogurt. Extensive work has been done to explore the effect of chemical components as well as the microbial, processing, and storage aspects. The popularity of yogurt as a food component depends mainly on its sensory characteristics, of which aroma and taste are most important. This review also outlines the effects of the different modifications attempted in the composition of yogurt.     

Effect of sugar and acid composition,aroma release,and assessment conditions on aroma enhancement by taste in model wines

ContextWhen congruent taste and retronasal aroma are perceived simultaneously, aroma can be enhanced by taste. Different explanations have been proposed: (i) physico-chemical interactions between tastants and aroma compounds, inducing a change of the aroma stimulus before it reaches the receptors, (ii) a contextual bias during sensory tests (dumping), when at least one relevant attribute is not proposed to the panelists to assess a product, (iii) a misunderstanding of the conceptual difference between aroma and taste, or (iv) a perceptual incapability of panelists to distinguish between two congruent percepts. This study was undertaken to better understand aroma enhancement by taste in model wines containing different sugar and acid concentrations but the same volatile composition.MethodWe used a twofold approach:(i) model wine retronasal aroma intensity was assessed twice by trained panelists. During the first session, panelists only assessed aroma intensity. During the second session, taste intensity was assessed before aroma intensity, to reduce dumping effects.(ii) in-mouth release of volatile compounds was measured by nosespace analysis with the same panelists.ResultsAcid concentration influenced aroma compounds release, but its effect on perceived aroma intensity was not clear. Increasing sugar concentration delayed ethyl octanoate (EO) release after swallowing. When taste was not assessed, perceived aroma intensity was not explained by aroma compounds release, but it increased with sugar concentration, probably because of a dumping effect. When taste was assessed, aroma intensity also depended on sugar concentration, but it was significantly correlated to the time of release of EO. Our hypothesis is that when taste declined, late aroma was more easily individualized, and thus assessed with a higher intensity. This entails that panelists focused on aroma to individualize it from taste. We concluded that trained panelists understand the conceptual difference between taste and aroma, but are not completely able to distinguish congruent and simultaneous taste and aroma percepts.     

感官定量描述分析对竹酒风味特征的研究

参照国内外酒类风味轮建立的方法及国标GB/T 16861—1997《感官分析 通过多元分析方法鉴定和选择用于建立感官剖面的描述词》,对不同工艺生产的40个竹酒进行感官描述分析,获得竹酒风味特征的描述语,采用聚类分析（CA）对香气、口感、口味的34个描述语进行归类,Pearson相关性分析考察同一类别下描述语之间的相关性。为进一步验证聚类分析（CA）的结果,方差分析筛选不同竹酒中具有显著差异的风味描述语,绘制竹酒风味轮。根据结果最终保留14个香气特征描述语、8个口感特征描述语、3个口味特征描述语、5个颜色特征描述语作为竹酒的风味轮,并采用对比分析和雷达图对6个具有代表性的竹酒样品进行分析,结果表明,采用活竹竹节陈酿工艺的竹酒香气淡雅舒适,口感淡爽清甜;采用竹制容器陈酿或陶缸浸泡竹片陈酿工艺的竹酒则香气浓郁复杂,竹木香的风格更加突出。     

Oral enzymatic detoxification system: Insights obtained from proteome analysis to understand its potential impact on aroma metabolization

The oral cavity is an entry path into the body, enabling the intake of nutrients but also leading to the ingestion of harmful substances. Thus, saliva and oral tissues contain enzyme systems that enable the early neutralization of xenobiotics as soon as they enter the body. Based on recently published oral proteomic data from several research groups, this review identifies and compiles the primary detoxification enzymes (also known as xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes) present in saliva and the oral epithelium. The functions and the metabolic activity of these enzymes are presented. Then, the activity of these enzymes in saliva, which is an extracellular fluid, is discussed with regard to the salivary parameters. The next part of the review presents research evidencing oral metabolization of aroma compounds and the putative involved enzymes. The last part discusses the potential role of these enzymatic reactions on the perception of aroma compounds in light of recent pieces of evidence of in vivo oral metabolization of aroma compounds affecting their release in mouth and their perception. Thus, this review highlights different enzymes appearing as relevant to explain aroma metabolism in the oral cavity. It also points out that further works are needed to unravel the effect of the oral enzymatic detoxification system on the perception of food flavor in the context of the consumption of complex food matrices, while considering the impact of food oral processing. Thus, it constitutes a basis to explore these biochemical mechanisms and their impact on flavor perception.     

Sensory Characterization of Sweet Corn Lines Differing in Physical and Chemical Composition.

Chemical, physical and sensory characteristics were determined in a population of 103 F₃ families derived from the cross between two sweet corn inbreds that differed in kernel properties associated with eating quality. Kernel characteristics correlated well with panel perception of sensory attributes. Chemical, physical and sensory properties were grouped into three factors: taste—including sweetness, starchiness, juiciness, and sucrose and starch concentrations; texture—crispness, tenderness, juiciness and cooked kernel tenderness; and aroma—sweet corn aroma, grassy aroma, grassy flavor and concentrations of an unknown volatile (V179). The relative importance in determining overall liking was taste 45.1, texture 30.5, and aroma 24.4%.     

Characterization of the differences in the aroma of cherry wines from different price segments using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry,odor activity values,sensory analysis,and aroma reconstitution

The aroma composition, aroma-active compounds, and sensory attributions of cherry wines from three different price segments were investigated. A total of 48 aroma compounds were identified and quantified using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), among which 23 aroma compounds were further screened out as important odorants based on their odor activity values (OAVs); then, the previously mentioned 23 volatiles were correlated to sensory attributes using partial least-squares regression (PLSR). The result indicates that the differently priced wines were associated with different compounds and aroma attributions. Finally, aroma reconstitution was performed by mixing odor-active aroma compounds (OAVs>1) on the basis of their measured concentrations in the original sample. The result indicated that the aroma profile of the reconstituted sample was similar to that of the original sample.