A chemical basis for sour taste perception of acid solutions and fresh-pack dill pickles

ABSTRACT:  Sour taste is influenced by pH and acids present in foods. It is not currently possible, however, to accurately predict and modify sour taste intensity in foods containing organic acids. The objective of this study was to investigate the roles of protonated (undissociated) organic acid species and hydrogen ions in evoking sour taste. Sour taste intensity increased linearly with hydrogen ion concentration ( R ²= 0.995), and with the concentration of protonated organic acid species at pH 3.5 ( R ²= 0.884), 4.0 ( R ²= 0.929), and 4.5 ( R ²= 0.975). The structures of organic acid molecules did not affect sour taste after adjusting for the effects of protonated organic acid species and hydrogen ions. Sour taste intensity was also linearly related to the total concentration of protonated organic acid species in fresh-pack dill pickles ( R ²= 0.957). This study showed that the sour taste of organic acids was directly related to the number of molecules with at least 1 protonated carboxyl group plus the hydrogen ions in solution. Conclusions from these results are that all protonated organic acids are equally sour on a molar basis, that all protonated species of a given organic acid are equally sour, and that hydrogen ions and protonated organic acids are approximately equal in sour taste on a molar basis. This study provides a new understanding of the chemical species that are able to elicit sour taste and reveals a basis for predicting sour taste intensity in the formulation of acidified foods.     

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.     

Effects of pH Adjustment and Sodium Ions on Sour Taste Intensity of Organic Acids

ABSTRACT:  Protonated organic acid species have been shown to be the primary stimuli responsible for sour taste of organic acids. However, we have observed that sour taste may be modulated when the pH of acid solutions is raised using sodium hydroxide. Objectives were to evaluate the effect of pH adjustment on sour taste of equimolar protonated organic acid solutions and to investigate the potential roles of organic anions and sodium ions on sour taste perception. Despite equal concentrations of protonated acid species, sour taste intensity decreased significantly with increased pH for acetic, lactic, malic, and citric acids ( P < 0.05). Total organic anion concentration did not explain the suppression of sour taste in solutions containing a blend of 3 organic acids with constant concentration of protonated organic acid species and hydrogen ions and variable organic anion concentrations ( R ²= 0.480, P  = 0.12). Sour taste suppression in these solutions seemed to be more closely related to sodium ions added in the form of NaOH ( R ²= 0.861, P  = 0.007). Addition of 20 mM NaCl to acid solutions resulted in significant suppression of sour taste ( P  = 0.016). However, sour taste did not decrease with further addition of NaCl up to 80 mM. Presence of sodium ions was clearly shown to decrease sour taste of organic acid solutions. Nonetheless, suppression of sour taste in pH adjusted single acid solutions was greater than what would be expected based on the sodium ion concentration alone, indicating an additional suppression mechanism may be involved.     

滋味物质间相互作用的研究进展

人类的味觉提供了有关食品质量及其组成的必要信息。人类可鉴别出食物的5 种基本味觉,即甜、咸、酸、苦和鲜味,但食物是多种滋味化合物组成的混合体系,因此滋味物质间相互作用是不可避免的。滋味物质间的相互作用发生在3 个层面,即化合物混合时的化学反应、一种物质对另一种物质滋味受体的影响、混合物质在大脑中的综合感知。其中研究较多的是滋味物质在第二层面上的相互作用。二元、三元及多元滋味物质之间的关系是复杂的：当滋味化合物低强度/浓度混合时呈现增强效应;中等强度/浓度往往呈现加和作用;高强度/浓度混合时常呈现抑制作用。另外,滋味感知受很多因素的影响,如温度、pH值、黏度、硬度、受试者生理状况等。滋味物质间相互作用的研究主要聚焦在饮料滋味改良、药品苦味掩盖和口腔护理产品开发等具有广阔研究前景。     

The role of sour and bitter perception in liking,familiarity and choice for phenol-rich plant-based foods

Among factors influencing food preferences and choices, individual differences in taste perception play a key role in defining eating behaviour. In particular, sour and bitter responsiveness could be associated with the acceptance and the consumption of phenol-rich plant-based foods recommended for a healthy diet. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a large population sample, the associations among sour and bitter responsiveness and liking, familiarity and choice for plant-based foods characterized by these target tastes. Adults aged 18 to 60 years (n = 1198; 58% women) were tested for their sour and bitter responsiveness both in water solutions and in food models (pear juice-based beverages modified in citric acid content to induce different levels of sourness: 0.5, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g/kg; chocolate pudding samples modified in sucrose content to induce different levels of bitterness: 38, 83, 119, 233 g/kg). Familiarity, stated liking and choice for fruit juices and vegetables varying for sour/bitter taste (high in bitter/sour taste: e.g. grapefruit juice and cauliflower; low in bitter/sour taste: e.g. zucchini and pineapple juice) were measured. Results showed a significant positive correlation between bitter and sour taste perception in water solutions and model foods, as well as a positive correlation between the perceived intensity of the two taste stimuli. Subjects characterized by high responsiveness to the two target stimuli were found to give lower liking scores to foods characterized by sour/bitter tastes and tended to choose less sour/bitter foods compared to less responsive subjects.Thus, food choice for phenol rich plant-based products could be associated with a reduced responsiveness to bitter and sour tastes and a consequent higher acceptance of food products characterized by these taste qualities.     

“厚味”γ-谷氨酰-缬氨酸增味作用差异性机制

γ-谷氨酰-缬氨酸（γ-Glu-Val）具有多变的呈味特性,在水溶液中呈现涩味,可以增强基本味觉物质的味感强度,赋予奶酪、鸡汤、酱油等食物厚味味感。目前对于γ-Glu-Val呈味特性的机理研究甚少,尤其是鲜见它对于味觉增强效果的差异性机制的研究。本实验利用感官实验和分子模拟对γ-Glu-Val增味作用的差异性机制进行研究。感官实验结果显示,γ-Glu-Val对于基本味感（鲜味、甜味、咸味和酸味）均有一定的提升作用,而对于鲜味的提升效果最为明显。分子模拟实验的结果表明,γ-Glu-Val对基本味感受体（T1R1、T1R2和T1R3）均有一定的亲和力,其中对于鲜味受体T1R1的亲和力最强、结合自由能最高,与此相反,γ-Glu-Val对甜味受体T1R2的亲和力最弱、结合自由能最低,暗示其增鲜作用强于增甜作用。分子动力学结果显示,在味精存在的前提下,γ-Glu-Val可通过氢键和疏水键与鲜味受体T1R1上的氨基酸残基（Phe-274、Ser-275、Ser-300、Trp-303、Ala-147、Ala-170）相互作用,激活鲜味受体,以实现其增鲜作用。本实验解析了γ-Glu-Val增味作用差异性分子机制,为进一步验证其呈味机理提供理论支撑;同时为小分子物质的增味作用研究提供了思路。     

Factors affecting detection of a bimodal sour-savory mixture and inter-individual umami taste perception

While basic taste interactions have been the subject of many research studies, there is one combination where data is limited in the literature: sour and umami. This combination is universal in culinary preparations and of key interest to the food industry. Therefore, the primary goal of the present study is to assess how increasing concentrations of acidity (citric acid) affect, if at all, the intensity of a constant concentration of umami (monosodium glutamate, MSG). The secondary goal is to investigate other possible factors in umami taste perception. Here, a crowdsourced cohort of 734 individuals (age range 8–81) tasted and rated the intensity of 50 mM MSG alone, and in combination with citric acid at varying concentrations (1.25 mM, 6.25 mM, 31.25 mM). Participants were also genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphism rs34160967 in the TAS1R1 gene. The results show a significant decrease in the intensity perception of umami as sour concentration increases (low: p = 0.005, medium: p < 0.001, high: p < 0.001). Situational factors such as participant hunger level and time since last eating also have a significant effect on umami intensity perception. Neither the biological factors of sex, age, and ancestry appear to play a role in umami perception, nor does variation in gene TAS1R1 at rs34160967. These new data contribute to the growing field of taste and sensory interaction by giving evidence that sour suppresses umami taste perception in bi-model samples.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopic studies of Japanese sake, an alcoholic beverage

The hydrogen-bonding property of water--ethanol in Japanese sake, a kind of brewage, was examined on the basis of both (1)H NMR chemical shifts of the OH of water--ethanol and the Raman OH stretching spectra. In 20% (v/v) EtOH-H(2)O solution, amino acids as well as organic acids caused low-field chemical shifts, i.e., the development of a hydrogen-bonding structure. Additional functional groups, apart from the essential amino- and carboxyl groups, in amino acids caused differences in their effects. The low-field chemical shifts caused by solutes were demonstrated under constant pH conditions maintained by sodium hydrogen citrate. Using both the measurement of (1)H NMR chemical shifts and Raman OH stretching spectra, the strength of the hydrogen bond of water--ethanol in Japanese sake products was found to be correlated with the total concentration of organic acids and amino acids. Glucose or saccharides should not have a strengthening effect on the hydrogen bond of water--ethanol. The effects of the main inorganic ions and amines were also discussed. It was concluded that chemical components originating from the starting material, rice, or products produced by microorganisms during the ethanol fermentation affect the hydrogen-bonding structure in Japanese sake.     

食品中呈鲜味物质研究进展

鲜味作为五大基本味之一,对于食品整体味道及人们对食品的评价至关重要。本文以鲜味为中心,从宏观角度介绍了富含鲜味的几种食物及影响其鲜味呈现的因素,总结了较新的几种鲜味提取方法,从微观角度综述了富含鲜味的几种氨基酸、核苷酸、肽、有机酸以及有机碱。简述了两种基本的鲜味受体蛋白——味型代谢性谷氨酸受体和味觉受体异源二聚体,并从鲜味感知和鲜味的协同增效作用两方面重点分析了鲜味的呈味机理。总结了当前常用的鲜味测定分析方法:感官评价法、高效液相色谱法、毛细管电泳法,以及比较新颖的生物和化学传感器法,为今后食品中鲜味物质的挖掘、感知、检测等研究提供参考。     

External Concentration of Organic Acid Anions and pH: Key Independent Variables for Studying How Organic Acids Inhibit Growth of Bacteria in Mildly Acidic Foods

ABSTRACT:  Although the mechanisms by which organic acids inhibit growth of bacteria in mildly acidic foods are not fully understood, it is clear that intracellular accumulation of anions is a primary contributor to inhibition of bacterial growth. We hypothesize that intracellular accumulation of anions is driven by 2 factors, external anion concentration and external acidity. This hypothesis follows from basic chemistry principles that heretofore have not been fully applied to studies in the field, and it has led us to develop a novel approach for predicting internal anion concentration by controlling the external concentration of anions and pH. This approach overcomes critical flaws in contemporary experimental design that invariably target concentration of either protonated acid or total acid in the growth media thereby leaving anion concentration to vary depending on the pK_a of the acids involved. Failure to control external concentration of anions has undoubtedly confounded results, and it has likely led to misleading conclusions regarding the antimicrobial action of organic acids. In summary, we advocate an approach for directing internal anion levels by controlling external concentration of anions and pH because it presents an additional opportunity to study the mechanisms by which organic acids inhibit bacterial growth. Knowledge gained from such studies would have important application in the control of important foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes , and may also facilitate efforts to promote the survival in foods or beverages of desirable probiotic bacteria.     

初烤烟叶提取物中酸味关键成分的感官导向分析

为考察烟叶的酸味关键成分,利用凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)分离初烤烟叶的提取物,根据各流份滋味特征评价结果,合并酸味流份,得初烤烟叶提取物的酸味特征组分;建立酸味特征组分中乳酸、乙酰丙酸、苹果酸、富马酸、柠檬酸等5 种有机酸的离子色谱(IC)定量方法;依据定量结果,复配上述5 种有机酸的混合溶液,分别对酸味特征组分溶液和有机酸复配溶液进行滋味稀释分析(TDA);利用三点选配法(3-AFC)测定上述5 种有机酸在水中的味觉阈值,结合其在酸味特征组分中的质量分数,计算各有机酸的滋味活性值(TAV)。结果表明:①酸味特征组分溶液和有机酸复配溶液在TDA实验中表现出一致的最大稀释倍数,证明所考察的5 种有机酸是酸味特征组分中酸味的主要来源。②根据5 种有机酸的TAV推测其对酸味的贡献排序为苹果酸> 乳酸> 乙酰丙酸> 柠檬酸> 富马酸。      

Oral behaviour of food hydrocolloids and emulsions. Part 1. Lubrication and deposition considerations

Physico-chemical and physiological factors that affect aroma and taste release in the mouth are discussed in relation to hydrocolloid levels and o/w emulsion phase volumes. Changes in viscosity introduced through the use of biopolymer solutions only have a small effect on aroma and taste release, while changes in the fat levels have a marked effect on both aroma and taste. Based on an understanding of the inter-relationship between microstructure, in-mouth processing and oral physiology, microstructures were specifically designed to control the delivery and release of aroma and taste during consumption. Gelled emulsion particles (microstructured emulsions) have been designed to control aroma delivery in low fat foods and duplex emulsions have been designed to control sour taste perception in low pH foods.     

基于电子舌与人工感官的茶叶滋味属性参考物呈味强度相关性分析

目的:探究电子舌和人工感官对茶叶滋味属性参考物呈味强度的相关性。方法:以奎宁、明矾、谷氨酸钠、蔗糖和柠檬酸依次为苦、涩、鲜、甜、酸滋味属性参考物,在觉察阈值基础上,分析各滋味属性参考物电子舌和人工感官的浓度—呈味强度关系及其相关性。结果:奎宁苦味觉察阈值为0.015 mg/mL、对应电子舌响应值为4.91;明矾涩味觉察阈值为0.01 mg/mL、对应电子舌响应值为3.32;谷氨酸钠鲜味觉察阈值为0.03 mg/mL、对应电子舌响应值为1.32;蔗糖甜味觉察阈值为0.4 mg/mL、对应电子舌响应值为18.07,柠檬酸酸味觉察阈值为0.04 mg/mL、对应电子舌响应值为6.18。各滋味属性参考物的人工感官和电子舌浓度—呈味强度均呈一定函数曲线关系,符合Weber-Fechne定律;在所选浓度范围内,柠檬酸(酸味)和蔗糖(甜味)电子舌呈味强度与人工感官强度呈正相关,奎宁(苦味)和明矾(涩味)电子舌呈味强度与人工感官强度呈负相关。结论:茶叶中5种滋味属性参考物电子舌检测与人工感官浓度—呈味强度具有一定相关性。     

木薯酒发酵过程中的有机酸变化及对其品质的影响分析

以新鲜甜木薯为原料,跟踪监测木薯酒发酵过程中的理化指标,并采用高效液相色谱法分析木薯酒发酵期间的有机酸组成及动态变化情况,进一步分析酒发酵过程中的酸味强度。结果表明,发酵过程中,木薯酒中的还原糖含量先快速上升至最高点最后趋于平稳（54.67 mg/mL）;酒精度先上升后平稳（7.11%vol）;总酸含量先缓慢减少至2.21 mg/mL,再缓慢增加,后快速增加,与pH值变化趋势相反。酒石酸、乳酸、乙酸、柠檬酸、琥珀酸是木薯酒发酵中重要有机酸,分别占木薯酒总有机酸含量的2.66%～12.31%,41.50%～63.53%,18.21%～23.82%,1.22%～27.77%,3.17%～15.89%,其他有机酸是酒中的辅助酸味特征成分。乳酸和乙酸是木薯酒的主体酸,其味道强度值（TAV）占总TAV值的65.82%～95.84%,发酵84 h的木薯酒有最高的味道强度值,其可达到223.87。     

Analysis of binary taste-taste interactions of MSG,lactic acid,and NaCl by temporal dominance of sensations

Temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) is a relatively novel sensory evaluation technique that measures the temporal evolution of sensory perception. The sensory properties of food or drink products have been described by TDS; however, basic sensory data on TDS are still lacking. We analyzed TDS data for solutions of three basic tastes (umami, salty, and sour) and their binary combinations. The duration of TDS for the main taste of each type of solution (monosodium glutamate [MSG] for umami, sodium chloride [NaCl] for saltiness, and lactic acid for sourness) increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the duration of the umami taste of MSG was longer than that of MSG/inosine 5′-monophosphate solution with an umami taste of equivalent intensity. The duration of NaCl saltiness was increased by coexistence with MSG and decreased by coexistence with lactic acid. On the other hand, the duration of the umami taste of MSG was suppressed by coexistence with NaCl but not lactic acid, while the duration of the sour taste of lactic acid was suppressed by MSG but not NaCl. These findings provide novel insight into the temporal sequence of basic taste perception during food consumption.     

The ability of 10–11-year-old children to identify basic tastes and their liking towards unfamiliar foods

The involvement of children in sensory evaluation and consumer research continues to increase and has become crucial in the food industry, as children sensory perceptions differ from adults. Research on basic taste sensitivity in children provides contradictory results, with most of the studies not considering the familiarity aspect of the food samples. Familiarity can lead children to memories of the food which are able to influence their taste perception and liking. This study aims to investigate the ability of 10 to 11-year old children in identifying sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness in unfamiliar food samples. The taste identification data was collected from 98 children using 19 food samples representing the four basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. For each food sample, the children evaluated their familiarity, the basic taste(s) they perceived using the check-all-that-apply (CATA) method and scored their liking. Their basic taste identification ability was investigated by comparing their results to trained panellists as a reference. The food samples were unfamiliar to most of the children (never tasted by 85% of the children on average). Correspondence Analysis (CA) showed that children were able to identify the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter in the unfamiliar foods, with a high congruency to the trained panellists. However, children’s identification ability was lower when combinations of dominant basic tastes occurred. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated a positive correlation between the presence of sweet taste and the children’s liking while sour and bitter tastes showed the opposite.     

基于味觉活力值的烤烟主流烟气关键酸味物质的研究

对51份烟叶样本主流烟气中27种有机酸进行了测定,通过味觉活力值分析技术,鉴定出烟气中的关键酸味物质,以此建立烟气酸味指数模型,并与感官评价进行了比较研究。结果表明:（1）甲酸、乙酸、棕榈酸、琥珀酸、乳酸、苹果酸、油酸、亚油酸和亚麻酸是主流烟气中主要的9种有机酸,异戊酸、辛酸、苯乙酸、苯甲酸、己酸和戊酸在不同样本中含量变化较大,而琥珀酸、乳酸、草酸、苹果酸和肉豆蔻酸的变化较小。（2）甲酸、乙酸、异丁酸、丁酸、异戊酸、戊酸、乳酸和琥珀酸等8种有机酸在51份样本中的味觉活力值即TAV均＞0.1,是烤烟主流烟气中关键的酸味物质,大小排序是异戊酸＞乙酸＞戊酸＞甲酸＞丁酸＞琥珀酸＞异丁酸＞乳酸,其它19种有机酸的贡献率可以忽略不计。（3）以8种关键酸味物质味觉活力值为基础,首次提出并建立的烟气酸味指数模型,在主流烟气酸味强度评价方面与感官评价之间取得了较高的趋势一致性,佐证了关键酸味物质研究的科学性,为卷烟烟气味觉特征剖析和调控技术提供支持。      

杏子酸味烟用香料靶向组分的确定及制备工艺优化

为开发能够改善卷烟感官舒适性的天然酸味烟用香料,采用凝胶渗透色谱（GPC）分离、卷烟感官作用评价、气相色谱质谱联用（GC/MS）等方法确定了杏子粗提物的酸味靶向组分,并以其含量为指标对杏子酸味烟用香料的靶向制备工艺进行了优化。结果表明:①靶向组分为酸味组分,主要由苹果酸、柠檬酸、乳酸、琥珀酸、富马酸、甘油酸和羟基乙酸等7种有机酸组成。②以7种有机酸含量为指标确定了溶剂加热浸提法提取工艺参数:30%乙醇、料液质量比1:5、提取温度75℃、提取时间2.0h;膜分离工艺参数为超滤膜截留分子量8 kD、超滤前料液干物质含量（质量分数）2%（干基计）。③与市售杏子提取物和杏子粗提物相比,采用优化工艺制备的杏子酸味烟用香料中7种有机酸含量最高,对改善卷烟感官舒适性的效果最好。      

Effects of oral irritation on olfaction

Flavour perception derives from an interplay of the senses that conveys information about the odour, taste, texture, or spiciness of ingested foods. Although interactions between smell and taste have been investigated extensively, we do not know a lot about the effect of oral chemical irritation on odour perception. Therefore, the impact of capsaicin and of carbonated water on four olfactory tasks, i.e., threshold, intensity discrimination, quality discrimination, and intensity ratings was investigated. Since we tested subjects on three different days, order effects were also examined.