Saltiness Enhancement by the Characteristic Flavor of Dried Bonito Stock

ABSTRACT:  There is a pressing need for the development of ways of preparing palatable salt-reduced foods to reduce the salt intake of the Japanese population. The salt-reducing effect of the characteristic flavors other than umami of dried bonito stock, which is widely used in everyday Japanese food, was examined by sensory evaluation. In the 1st sensory evaluation, the effect was evaluated in a model solution. The saltiness of 0.80% NaCl solution was equivalent to that of 0.12% monosodium glutamate (MSG) solution containing 0.81% NaCl and dried bonito stock containing 0.68% NaCl. Saltiness enhancement could not be found when MSG solution was used, but was found with 6% dried bonito stock. The 2nd evaluation examined whether the effect was valid for 2 everyday Japanese foods—traditional Japanese clear soup ( sumashi-jiru ) and steamed egg custard ( tamagodoufu ). Although enhancement of saltiness by dried bonito stock could not be clearly demonstrated in the soup, a change in NaCl concentration within 15% did not affect the palatability of the soup. However, dried bonito stock not only enhanced the saltiness but also improved the palatability of steamed egg custard. These findings are expected to be useful for improving the palatability of salt-reduced food.     

Retronasal Odor of Dried Bonito Stock Induces Umami Taste and Improves the Palatability of Saltiness

A traditional Japanese umami‐rich stock, dried bonito stock, was reported to improve the palatability of a low‐salt diet due to its characteristic aroma. Two pathways are available for the presentation of odors: the orthonasal and retronasal pathways. Aroma is perceived through the orthonasal pathway. In contrast, retronasal application of odors is thought to evoke different sensations from the orthonasal pathway, which is typically perceived as taste and modifies taste. Therefore, the effect of retronasal odor on salt‐reduction might be different from that of aroma, that is, orthonasal odor. Thus, the effects of the retronasal odor of dried bonito stock on the enhancement and improvement of palatability upon salt reduction were examined using sensory evaluation. Moreover, the contributions to flavor expression and palatability of dried bonito stock were also investigated. Although the retronasal odor of dried bonito did not enhance saltiness, it improved the palatability of saltiness. In the presence of no tastants except 0.68% NaCl, a content 15% less than that of Japanese traditional soup, the retronasal odor of dried bonito generated umami, enhanced the suitability for dried bonito stock, and increased palatability. This indicates that the retronasal odor of dried bonito stock could improve the palatability of a salt‐reduced diet. These findings can be applied to the development of new seasonings for improving the palatability of salt‐reduced foods.     

Umami Taste Components and Their Sources in Asian Foods

Umami, the fifth basic taste, is the inimitable taste of Asian foods. Several traditional and locally prepared foods and condiments of Asia are rich in umami. In this part of world, umami is found in fermented animal-based products such as fermented and dried seafood, and plant-based products from beans and grains, dry and fresh mushrooms, and tea. In Southeast Asia, the most preferred seasonings containing umami are fish and seafood sauces, and also soybean sauces. In the East Asian region, soybean sauces are the main source of umami substance in the routine cooking. In Japan, the material used to obtain umami in dashi, the stock added to almost every Japanese soups and boiled dishes, is konbu or dried bonito. This review introduces foods and seasonings containing naturally high amount of umami substances of both animal and plant sources from different countries in Asia.     

Aroma–taste interactions between a model cheese aroma and five basic tastes in solution

The flavour perception of cheese results from complex sensory interactions between tastes and aromas. Using a model cheese solution, this study investigated perceived interactions between each of five basic tastes and a cheese aroma mixture containing ten volatile compounds commonly found in cheese. The five tastes – sucrose (sweetness), sodium chloride (NaCl) (saltiness), monosodium glutamate (MSG) (umami), lactic acid (sourness), and caffeine (bitterness) – were individually mixed with cheese aroma in water using a 5 taste level (0.2 log series) by 3 aroma level (0.5 log series) design. Aroma controls with no added taste were also included. This resulted in 18 samples for each single taste–aroma combination. An additional 18 samples were produced using a mixture of all 5 tastes with the 3 aroma levels. A panel of trained assessors (n = 10) evaluated cheese flavour intensity and taste intensity using 100 point line scales. Evaluation was carried out in duplicate, with samples grouped by taste type; 1 evaluation session per taste per replicate. Within type, order of presentation was balanced, and taste type order was randomised between replicates. Cheese flavour intensity was enhanced by sucrose and NaCl, while being suppressed by lactic acid. NaCl enhanced cheese flavour intensity the most at high aroma level, while lactic acid suppressed the most at low aroma level. When MSG level was increased, cheese flavour intensity was enhanced at both low and medium aroma levels, but was suppressed at the high aroma level. The greatest enhancement of cheese flavour intensity was found with the mixture of 5 tastes. Aroma significantly enhanced umami and bitterness, but did not enhance sweetness, saltiness, or sourness. This study showed that the perceived interaction between taste and cheese aroma depended on taste type and on the concentration levels of both taste type and aroma. The mixture of tastes was more effective at enhancing cheese flavour intensity than single tastes. This study provides knowledge that will underpin further study of taste–aroma interactions in a model cheese that aims to optimise cheese flavour intensity and character.     

Interactions between umami and other flavor characteristics

Our understanding of the taste transduction mechanisms of umami substances is still in its infancy. However, evidence is now emerging that suggests that umami taste is perceived according to a receptor-mediated mechanism similar to those for sweet and bitter tastes. The synergistic interactions between glutamate and nucleotides appear to arise from an allosteric effect of nucleotides on a glutamate receptor. In some foods, umami substances appear to enhance the perceived sweetness or saltiness, or other flavor characteristics such as thickness and complexity, which may contribute to the ability of umami substances to improve overall palatability in certain foods.     

调味品减盐增鲜的研究进展

调味品是食品调味过程中的必需品,同时也是人体摄入盐分的主要来源。盐摄入过多会带来健康隐患,但减盐会降低食品的咸味和鲜味,从而降低食品品质。本文综述在减盐同时保证咸味、鲜味及其协调性的技术手段。减盐技术包含减少钠盐添加量、非钠盐替代物及增强咸味感知等方法,增鲜技术包含添加酵母抽提物、鲜味肽及鲜味氨基酸和肽的衍生物等方法。此外,乳酸菌、美拉德反应中间体、增味剂、呈味肽等的应用亦可达到减盐增鲜的双重效果。减盐增鲜技术的应用能够促进调味品行业的发展,但这些技术尚存在基础研究不足、实际应用较少、应用范围较窄、生产成本高等问题,解决这些问题是当前所面临的主要困难。本文详细阐述调味品减盐增鲜技术的基本原理、特点、目前研究存在的不足等,提出未来可能的发展方向,以期为调味品的减盐增鲜研究提供参考。     

Odour–taste interactions: A way to enhance saltiness in low-salt content solutions

This study investigated odour–saltiness interactions in aqueous solutions. In a first experiment, 81 consumers indicated expected taste attributes for 86 labels of flavour related to common food items. Panellists were able to rate expected saltiness of food flavour evoked by food written items. Differences in expected saltiness were observed in relation to actual salt content of food. In experiment 2, we selected commercially available aromas corresponding to 14 of the salt-associated flavour labels found in experiment 1. Odour-induced saltiness enhancement was investigated for odours evoked by these aroma water solutions containing or not sodium chloride. Fifty-nine consumers rated odour and taste (bitterness, sourness, saltiness, and sweetness) intensity orthonasally and retronasally. Results showed that expected flavours could induce saltiness and enhance saltiness in solutions containing a low level of sodium chloride through odour-induced changes in taste perception. These results suggest that well selected odours could be used to compensate sodium chloride reduction in food.     

基于感官导向的铁观音茶叶特征香气的分析、重构及在卷烟加香中的应用

[目的]构建一种天然香料香气重构及其风格强化的调香方法并应用于卷烟加香.[方法]以铁观音茶叶提取物为对象,通过感官导向的凝胶色谱分离收集具有铁观音茶叶香气的特征组群;采用顶空固相微萃取、气相色谱/质谱联用技术对茶叶特征香气组群进行定性、定量分析;利用三点选配法测定特征香气成分在乙醇中的嗅觉阈值,结合其在茶叶提取物中的含...     

Food and salt structure design for salt reducing

Salt plays an important role in food processing and consumption. High salt intake increases the health risks especially the cardiovascular diseases. The growing demand of the consumer towards healthier foods serves as a driving force for the research and development of salt-reduced food products both by the academia and the industry. Since salt addition has a fundamental effect on the processing characteristics, sensory quality and shelf life of foods, the achievement of salt reduction is a great challenge. This article introduces the principles of salt reduction in food products, particularly from the view point of modifying salt and food structure. The size, morphology, and spatial structure of salt crystals were introduced. The relationship between salt reduction and structural characteristics of food matrix in baked foods, emulsion-based products and cheese products was discussed. Non-cubic and agglomerated salt crystals with a smaller particle size result in a greater saltiness perception. Salt with a hollow structure improves its availability to taste receptors, leading to the same desired taste at a lower salt content. Salt reduction is achieved through the inhomogeneous spatial distribution of salt in the food matrix. The multilayer structure in bread enhanced the saltiness perception intensity. Double emulsions due to the dissolved salt in both of the internal and external phases enhanced sensory perception of saltiness compared to a single emulsion. A looser and more porous microstructure of the cheese matrix facilitates the release of salt while a higher gel strength limits the release of salt in cheese.     

基于SHS-GC-MS和GC-IMS的对两种雪茄烟挥发性香味成分的分析与研究

【目的】为明确雪茄烟挥发性香味成分,比较不同雪茄烟挥发性香味成分的差异性。【方法】采用静态顶空-气质联用仪（SHS-GC-MS）和气相色谱离子迁移谱（GC-IMS）两种分析检测技术,对长城2号和蒙特4号两种雪茄烟的挥发性香味成分进行检测,并结合主成分分析（PCA）和偏最小二乘-判别分析（PLS-DA）方法分析了两种雪茄烟的香味主要差异成分。【结果】（1）从嗅香来看,两支雪茄烟的主体香韵均为较为明显的晾晒烟特征香气和蜂蜜样的甜香。蒙特4号的花香、木香和可可香气更加明显一些,长城2号的甜香和膏香则相对较强,并稍带果甜,香气比较厚实浓郁。（2）通过SHS-GC-MS分析检测技术从长城2号雪茄烟中鉴定出18种挥发性香味成分,从蒙特4号中鉴定出30种挥发性香味成分;蒙特4号中异龙脑、乙酸异龙脑酯、α-柏木烯、罗汉柏烯等成分的含量明显高于长城2号;而3,5-二甲基苯酚和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮两种香味成分仅存在于长城2号中。（3）GC-IMS在两种雪茄烟中共鉴定出47种成分,包括了3种酸类、4种酯类、12种酮类、10种醛类、11种醇类、2种杂环类和5种烯烃类成分;运用PCA和PLS-DA的分析方...     

Cross-modal interactions between taste and smell: Odour-induced saltiness enhancement depends on salt level

In recent years, health concerns related to salt have led to extensive research on low-salt foods. One major remaining issue is to reduce sodium content while still providing the salty fix, to maintain food appreciation, acceptance and choice. Using well-selected odours has been proposed to compensate for sodium chloride reduction in food, due to the cross-modal interactions between odour and taste. However, interactions between taste and odour, with regards to saltiness, remain poorly investigated. Moreover, although a few studies have assessed the influences of odour and sweet supra-threshold intensity on cross-modal interactions, none focused directly on how they influence saltiness. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine if the level of saltiness, i.e., the concentration of sodium chloride in aqueous solutions, influences odour-induced saltiness enhancement (OISE). A panel of 64 untrained panellists evaluated the saltiness of water solutions including salt and a tasteless odorant. Following a full factorial design, three concentrations of salt were used in conjunction with three aroma conditions. The results confirmed that OISE depends on odour-taste congruency but also clearly indicated that OISE depends on salt concentration (salty intensity): the saltiness of a low- or medium-salt-content solution increased significantly when subjects perceived simultaneously the congruent sardine aroma, but OISE was no more significant with high-saltiness solutions. This effect has to be taken into account when using OISE as a compensation strategy in low-salt food.     

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.     

Molecular insights into human taste perception and umami tastants: A review

Understanding taste is key for optimizing the palatability of seaweeds and other non-animal-based foods rich in protein. The lingual papillae in the mouth hold taste buds with taste receptors for the five gustatory taste qualities. Each taste bud contains three distinct cell types, of which Type II cells carry various G protein-coupled receptors that can detect sweet, bitter, or umami tastants, while type III cells detect sour, and likely salty stimuli. Upon ligand binding, receptor-linked intracellular heterotrimeric G proteins initiate a cascade of downstream events which activate the afferent nerve fibers for taste perception in the brain. The taste of amino acids depends on the hydrophobicity, size, charge, isoelectric point, chirality of the alpha carbon, and the functional groups on their side chains. The principal umami ingredient monosodium l -glutamate, broadly known as MSG, loses umami taste upon acetylation, esterification, or methylation, but is able to form flat configurations that bind well to the umami taste receptor. Ribonucleotides such as guanosine monophosphate and inosine monophosphate strongly enhance umami taste when l -glutamate is present. Ribonucleotides bind to the outer section of the venus flytrap domain of the receptor dimer and stabilize the closed conformation. Concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, arginate, and other compounds in food products may enhance saltiness and overall flavor. Umami ingredients may help to reduce the consumption of salts and fats in the general population and increase food consumption in the elderly.     

不同来源和年份诺邓火腿的理化和呈味性质

为研究市售常见诺邓火腿的差异,对具有地域特色的诺邓火腿进行综合评价。以洋三元白猪、诺邓黑猪为原材料,按照诺邓火腿工艺加工1、3 年火腿,测定其理化指标、质构特性和游离氨基酸含量,并用电子舌分析其滋味特性差异。结果表明：4 组火腿质地存在明显差异;4 组火腿中均分离出18 种游离氨基酸,精氨酸含量最丰富,亮氨酸、赖氨酸和谷氨酸次之;洋三元白猪火腿（W组）的游离氨基酸含量高于诺邓黑猪火腿（B组）,B组的鲜味氨基酸相对含量高于W组,氨基酸的释放量可明显将1 年和3 年的火腿区分开;电子舌结果表明,B1组的滋味丰富性最大,B3组的咸味最大但鲜味最小,W1组的鲜味较大但丰富性较小,W3组的咸鲜味和丰富性适中。综上,鲜味、丰富性和咸味是诺邓火腿重要的味觉指标,诺邓黑猪火腿滋味较为丰富,B3组硬度、咸味最大,加工过程中要控温控湿。     

不同加工阶段对符离集烧鸡风味影响研究

为探究不同加工阶段对符离集烧鸡风味的影响,本研究分析了生鸡、油炸、卤煮和杀菌各加工阶段的风味（气味与滋味）特征及消长规律。结果表明:基于气相色谱-质谱法（GC-MS）结合气味活度值（Order Activity Value,OAV）法确定各加工阶段主要的挥发性物质均为醛酮类,在卤煮后出现的部分芳香类风味物质,如芳樟醇、甲基黑椒酚等,成为烧鸡主体风味物质,杀菌后挥发性风味物质的种类和含量都有所减少。电子鼻可以准确区分各加工阶段的样品。在对游离氨基酸和呈味核苷酸这两种滋味物质的检测中发现,其总含量在油炸和杀菌阶段显著降低（P<0.05）。通过滋味活度值（Taste Active Value,TAV）法可知,烧鸡的主体滋味物质为呈鲜味的肌苷酸（IMP）。利用电子舌对烧鸡加工过程中的滋味变化分析时发现,在加工过程中苦味和咸味变化明显。基于相关性分析可知,卤水除了增加烧鸡的挥发性物质,还会增强烧鸡的苦味和咸味。加工过程中烧鸡的鲜味一直较高,但是变化不明显。本研究表明卤煮阶段对符离集烧鸡风味有赋予作用,杀菌阶段对烧鸡风味有不良影响。     

基于成分轮廓数据的大球盖菇干制风味品质综合分析评价

为探究大球盖菇干燥前后风味成分轮廓数据及影响其良好风味的关键成分因子,对鲜品和4种干制样品(热风干燥(hot-air drying,HAD)、真空冷冻干燥(vacuum freeze drying,VFD)、微波干燥(microwave drying,MWD)和自然干燥(naturaldrying,ND))中香气和滋味成分进行分析,共检出118种香气化合物,经干制后香气丰富度提升显著(P<0.05),VFD可大程度保留鲜品香气品质;提取19个共有香气成分,作为大球盖菇特征成分轮廓,其中醛类化合物个数和含量优势明显,以正己醛(呈青草味)尤为突出。HAD较鲜品可溶性糖和游离氨基酸总量显著升高,VFD则呈味核苷酸损失最少,由此2种干制方式等鲜浓度值(equivalent umami concentration,EUC)优势显著(P<0.05)。风味感官综合评分VFD>HAD>ND>鲜品>MWD,基于评分和成分数据建立偏最小二乘回归模型,前3个主成分R²_X为79.4%,R²_Y     

酵母抽提物减盐功能及在高汤调味粉中应用研究

本文以几款酵母抽提物（YE）为主要原料,探究其减盐功能及在高汤调味粉中减盐应用效果。通过开展不同YE理化指标检测、咸味强度对比感官分析,确定减盐效果最佳YE;然后对其肽分子量分布检测,不同肽段在复配减盐模型溶液应用,探究减盐机制;最后在高汤粉调味料验证减盐效果。结果表明,不同酵母抽提物减盐效果以及对低钠盐的风味修饰作用存在差异,其中浓厚YE-2在模型实验中减盐20%效果强于其他几款测试YE;浓厚YE-2中1000~2000 Da肽段的成分明显具有浓厚感和咸味提升效果;将浓厚YE-2应用在高汤粉调味料中具有协助减盐、增强鲜味和浓厚味、提升整体协调感的作用。提升YE-2产品中1000~2000 Da肽段的含量,可以开发具有更强减盐效果的YE产品。