The Synergistic Taste Effect of Monosodium Glutamate and Disodium 5'-Inosinate

SUMMARY— The synergistic phenomenon between the taste of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and disodium 5'-inosinate (IMP) [7.5 H₂O] was studied and the relationship expressed as a mathematical model. The phenomenon could be measured quantitatively by fitting the proposed model to the results of the experiment.
The concentration of MSG equivalent to the taste intensity of that given by the mixture of MSG and the ribonucleotide is represented by the following equation:
y = u +γuv
where y is the equivalent taste intensity of the mixture in terms of g/dl of MSG, u is equal to g/dl of MSG in the given mixture, v is equal to g/dl of sodium 5'-inosinate in the given mixture, and γ is a constant.
The γ value for IMP was calculated from extensive sensory testing as 1.218 × 10⁸.     

MEASUREMENT OF THE RELATIVE TASTE INTENSITY OF SOME L-α-AMINO ACIDS AND 5'-NUCLEOTIDES

SUMMARY— Intensity of glutamate-like and/or inosinate-like taste (umami in Japanese) of various flavor amino acids and flavor nucleotides was studied using sensory analysis and always found proportional to that of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and disodium 5'-inosinate (IMP), respectively. By application of this fact to a previously obtained equation expressing the relationship between the taste intensity of MSG-IMP mixture and that of MSG alone, the intensity of umami of the mixture of any flavor amino acids and nucleotides could be expressed as an elementary equation: y = u +γ uv, where u and v are the concentrations of amino acids and nucleotides in terms of the concentrations of MSG and IMP, respectively, in the mixture; y is the equivalent concentration of MSG alone; and γ is a positive constant. Interrelationships within each group of substances were additive.     

Umami Taste Enhancement of MSG/NaCl Mixtures by Subthreshold L-α-Aromatic Amino Acids

l ‐Phenylalanine (l ‐Phe) and l ‐tyrosine (l ‐Tyr) are L‐α‐aromatic amino acids that have recently been discovered to be important components of the savory fractions of soy sauce in addition to l ‐glutamate. Their effects are evaluated on the umami or savory taste of monosodium L‐glutamate (MSG), with or without sodium chloride (NaCl). Because l ‐Phe at subthreshold concentration (1.0 mM) significantly enhances an umami taste of a MSG/NaCl mixture (P= 0.000), combinations of 4 subthreshold concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 5.0 mM) of l ‐Phe with a weakly suprathreshold MSG (4.0 mM) and NaCl (80 mM) mixture were then rated for salty and umami intensities relative to those of standard solutions. L‐Phe was found to significantly enhance the umami tastes of the MSG/NaCl mixtures when it was added in a concentration range of 0.5 to 5.0 mM (P= 0.000). However, neither the umami taste of MSG alone nor the salty taste of NaCl alone was intensified. In a further experiment, l ‐Tyr at the 3 subthreshold concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1.5 mM) studied was shown to have the same activity as L‐Phe. The phenomenon of umami or savory enhancement by subthreshold aromatic amino acids in the soy sauce system has been established.     

广西北部湾3 种贝类中主要呈味物质的测定及呈味作用评价

测定广西北部湾牡蛎(Crassostrea rivularis)、文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)和波纹巴非蛤(Paphia undulata) 3种贝类中的呈味核苷酸(AMP、GMP、IMP)、糖原等非挥发性呈味物质的含量,并采用味道强度值和等价鲜味值(或味精当量)评价这些非挥发性呈味物质的呈味作用鲜味强度。结果表明：牡蛎、文蛤和波纹巴非蛤的味精当量分别为3.2、1.9、2.7g MSG/100g,对应的味精当量的味道强度值分别是106.7、63.3、90,均远大于1,是其呈强烈鲜味的主要原因。     

琥珀酸二钠与谷氨酸钠相互作用及喜好度分析

采用成对比较检验,测定0.300?g/100?mL谷氨酸钠和不同质量浓度琥珀酸二钠（0.010、0.020、0.030、0.050?g/100?mL及0.100?g/100?mL）复合溶液的相对谷氨酸钠质量浓度,并采用9?点标度法对其喜好性进行分析。研究表明,随着琥珀酸二钠添加量的提高,复合溶液的整体鲜味强度先大幅增加而后降低,在谷氨酸钠与琥珀酸二钠添加比例为6∶1时达到峰值;同时随着琥珀酸二钠添加量的增加,复合溶液的喜好度先略有上升后急剧下降,在谷氨酸钠与琥珀酸二钠添加比例为15∶1时达到峰值。综合以上指标,谷氨酸钠与琥珀酸二钠在实际应用中的添加比例不宜超过10∶1。本实验结果表明琥珀酸二钠与谷氨酸钠的相互作用关系,为琥珀酸二钠的实际应用提供理论参考。     

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.     

蚕蛹蛋白水解前处理和水解产物鲜味增效的研究

研究超声波、亚硫酸钠、酸等前处理对蛋白酶解效率的影响,并探讨谷氨酸钠和氯化钠对酶解产物的滋味的影响。实验表明,低浓度的亚硫酸钠处理能改善对蚕蛹蛋白的水解效果,而酸和超声波处理能显著提高蚕蛹蛋白回收率和水解度,其中超声处理效果最佳,使蚕蛹蛋白回收率和水解度分别提高5%和3%（p<0.05）。前处理都能提高酶解产物中小肽的比例,分子量小于1000 u的小肽占75%以上,1000~3000 u的组分占20%左右;其中超声前处理,分子量小于1000 u的小肽从占比66.44%提高到77.58%。通过单纯形重心设计,探讨在酶解液中氯化钠和谷氨酸钠的相互作用对滋味的影响。氯化钠和谷氨酸钠的浓度对超声前处理的酶解产物的鲜味有显著性的影响（p<0.05）,当味精和氯化钠的浓度分别是0.37%和0.85%时,鲜味增效达到最佳值,感官评分为7.3分。     

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.     

Can umami taste be an adequate tool for reducing sodium in food preparations?

Researches indicate that the Brazilian population is still consuming sodium in excess and national epidemiological studies, have not verified the impact of taste modifications provided by the formulations available on the market and in homemade meals. The objective is to verify whether the basic umami taste, in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG) monohydrate, is an alternative for reducing sodium in the preparation of meals. Also, to confirm the ideal concentration of MSG equivalent to acceptance with salt, and the impact of an explanatory video about warnings of salt excess on consumer behaviour, regarding the intention to use table salt in meals. For this study, three concentrations of sodium were used in the preparations rice and ground meat: one with the intrinsic sodium of the food, one with the addition of salt, 1 g for 100 g of rice and for meat, and one with salt and MSG, for 100 g of rice, 0.54% are of salt and 0.43% are of MSG and for 100 g of meat, 0.55% are of salt and 0.44% are of MSG. All quantities were suggested by a previous study, confirmed in a sensorial pre-test. The acceptability of preparations was assessed by the preference test. The levels of sodium and glutamic acid in the test preparations were also analysed. The results showed no significant difference between the exposed to the video. This study showed a sodium reduction of at least 30% in rice and 33% in ground meat, two kinds of meals widely consumed in Brazil, maintaining the same acceptance. These data suggest that the partial substitution of NaCl with MSG/umami can be an alternative to reduce sodium in meals.     

Taste perception with age: pleasantness and its relationships with threshold sensitivity and supra-threshold intensity of five taste qualities

The relationships between threshold sensitivity, supra-threshold intensity of NaCl, KCl, sucrose, aspartame, acetic acid, citric acid, caffeine, quinine HCl, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), and the pleasantness of these stimuli in products, were studied in 21 young subjects (19–33 yr) and 21 older subjects (60–75 yr). For the young, threshold sensitivity was unrelated to supra-threshold intensity for all tastants and in all experimental conditions. For the elderly, in a few cases a relationship was found between threshold sensitivity and suprathreshold intensity, but only when subjects wore a nose clip. The optimally preferred concentration did not differ between the elderly and the young when the products were tasted without a nose clip, except for both sweet tastants, where elderly men showed a higher optimally preferred concentration than did the young. The optimally preferred concentration did not depend on the pleasantness of the foods and was unrelated to threshold sensitivity, but did show a negative correlation with the supra-threshold intensity of sucrose, aspartame and citric acid for the elderly and of NaCl, sucrose and caffeine for the young. This study does not support the assumption that age-related loss of taste sensitivity will inevitably lead to a preference for taste-enhanced foods.     

谷朊粉发酵液中鲜味肽的分离、鉴定与呈味分析

鲜味是五种基本味感之一,它在人们选择食品中扮演了越来越重要的角色,肽是氨基酸组成的混合物,具有多种味道,是主要的呈味物质,利用蛋白酶解可以获得具有较强鲜味的肽段。本实验采用感官评价结合超滤(UF)、凝胶层析(GPC)和反相高效液相色谱(RP-HPLC)等技术从以盐酸脱酰胺面筋蛋白为原料的发酵液中分离纯化得到一种鲜味肽,同时采用MALDI-TOF-MS串联质谱鉴定该鲜味肽的氨基酸序列及其分子质量;目标定向固相合成鉴别出的鲜味肽,并测定了其鲜味阈值及鲜味相乘效应。结果发现:该鲜味肽的氨基酸序列为Asp-Cys-Gly(DCG),分子质量为293.15 Da,固相合成该鲜味肽后采用滋味稀释法评价发现该鲜味肽的鲜味阈值为100 mg/m L,是MSG阈值的1/3,该鲜味肽对浓度为200 mg/L的I+G溶液具有鲜味增强作用,对MSG没有鲜味增强作用。     

通电加热过程中凡纳滨对虾虾肉糜的游离氨基酸和核苷酸含量变化研究

为研究通电加热过程中不同加热温度(40、55、65、75、85和95℃)对凡纳滨对虾虾肉糜中主要非挥发性滋味成分的影响,采用氨基酸自动分析仪和高效液相色谱仪分别检测了虾肉糜中的游离氨基酸和核苷酸及其关联产物含量,并采用味道强度值(TAV)确定其中主要的呈味物质及贡献程度,最后通过味精当量(EUC)分析鲜味氨基酸和呈味核苷酸之间的协同作用,并对其鲜味进行评价。结果表明,与鲜虾相比,通电热处理的虾肉糜中游离氨基酸总量均有不同程度的减少。随着温度的升高,鲜味氨基酸、甜味氨基酸和苦味氨基酸的含量均呈现先减少后增加的趋势,且在65℃达到最小值(鲜味氨基酸、甜味氨基酸和苦味氨基酸的总TAV值分别为0.86、4.40、4.46)。通电加热并不影响ATP的降解途径只是会改变核苷酸及其关联产物的相对含量,尤其是促进Ado的产生。甘氨酸、精氨酸、谷氨酸、AMP和IMP在不同加热温度下其TAV几乎都大于1,是虾肉糜滋味的主要贡献者。味精当量以谷氨酸钠质量计,40℃最能促进虾肉糜鲜味的产生(EUC值为5.54 g MSG/100 g),在85℃处虾肉糜风味损失最小(EUC值为4.02 g MSG/100 g)。     

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.     

不同育肥方式对中华绒螯蟹雄蟹肌肉呈味物质的影响

本文采用高效液相色谱仪、氨基酸自动分析仪、石墨炉原子吸收光谱仪等测定了配合饲料和野杂鱼育肥的中华绒螯蟹雄蟹肌肉中非挥发性呈味物质,包括游离氨基酸,呈味核苷酸和呈味无机离子,并且采用味道强度值和味精当量对这些成分的呈味强度进行评价。FD蟹肉中游离氨基酸总量稍高于TF蟹肉（二者分别为2270、2016 mg/100 g）,两种蟹肉中呈味氨基酸含量均占总量的68%,对FD和TF蟹肉滋味均有贡献。FD和TF蟹肉中的呈味核苷酸含量较低,TAV值小于1,对蟹肉滋味没有直接贡献,但可与其他成分产生协同作用,增强蟹肉滋味。无机离子中K+、PO3+4和Ca2+对TF蟹肉有直接贡献,而对FD蟹肉有直接贡献的是K+和PO3+4。结果表明TF蟹肌肉EUC值是1.61 g MSG/100 g,FD蟹肌肉EUC值是是2.50 g MSG/100 g,味精当量的TAV值是53.7和83.3,鲜味强烈,并且FD蟹肉鲜味显著（p=0.01）优于TF蟹肌肉。      

Evaluation of monosodium glutamate,disodium inosinate and guanylate umami taste by an electronic tongue

An electronic tongue (e-Tongue) was used to evaluate umami taste and compare different flavor enhancers (concentration and manufacture). Monosodium glutamate and three kinds of disodium inosinate and guanylate (I + G) were analyzed. The obtained data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The first principal component represented the intensity of umami taste. Based on Euclidean distance between ‘I + G’ samples and MSG (0.5%) on the PCA score plot, the umami intensity of all samples was ranked. The ‘I + G’ samples produced by three manufactures were successfully discriminated on the second principal component with a high discrimination index (82.26). Besides, the drift phenomenon of sensor was discussed and finishing sensor analyses in a continuous time could help avoid the drift. This study showed that e-Tongue was useful in analyzing the umami taste and might be a complementary tool in evaluation of flavor enhancer.     

不同结构改性与美拉德反应前后鲜味二肽(Asn-Pro和Ala-His)呈味特性的对比分析

本文为了探讨不同结构改性(氨基酸顺序改变、增加鲜味氨基酸、串联肽)与美拉德反应对鲜味二肽(Asn-Pro和Ala-His)鲜味与增鲜效果的影响,利用电子舌分析了Asn-Pro和Ala-His及其结构改性后获得的新肽和美拉德反应产物的呈味特性,评价了Asn-Pro和Ala-His结构改性前后以及美拉德反应对味精(MSG)...     

Nonvolatile taste components of solid-state fermented adlay and rice by Phellinus linteus

Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis) Teng (Hymenochaetaceae) was inoculated into cooked grains, and new products were formed after fungal fermentation and their nonvolatile taste components were studied. Contents of ash, fat, fiber, and protein in inoculated products [Phellinus-fermented adlay (PFA) and rice (PFR)] were much higher than those in uninoculated controls [polished adlay (PA) and rice (PR)]. Contents of total soluble sugars and polyols were in the descending order: PFA > PFR > PA > PR. Contents of total free amino acids and total and flavor 5′-nucleotides in PFA and PFR were much higher than those in PA and PR. Equivalent umami concentrations in PFA and PFR (917.17 and 222.96 g monosodium glutamate (MSG)/100 g, respectively) were higher than those in PA and PR (4.88 and 0.32 g MSG/100 g, respectively). Evidently, Phellinus-fermented products possessed high level of umami taste.