A substance is described which is capable of imparting a kokumi, which shows a more excellent kokumi-imparting effect, in particular, the initial taste-imparting type of kokumi-imparting effect, which is excellent in the stability and which can easily be produced at a low cost. Additionally, a kokumi-imparting composition which includes a substance as well as a kokumi-imparting agent including the substance and other substances possessing the CaSR agonist activities in combination. More particularly, the present invention herein provides a kokumi-imparting composition consisting of γ-Glu-Abu (L-γ-glutamyl-L-2-amino-butyric acid) and a complex kokumi-imparting agent which includes the foregoing substance and another substance having a CaSR agonist activity, in combination.

A substance is described which is capable of imparting a kokumi, which shows a more excellent kokumi-imparting effect, in particular, the initial taste-imparting type of kokumi-imparting effect, which is excellent in the stability and which can easily be produced at a low cost. Additionally, a kokumi-imparting composition which includes a substance as well as a kokumi-imparting agent including the substance and other substances possessing the CaSR agonist activities in combination. More particularly, the present invention herein provides a kokumi-imparting composition consisting of γ-Glu-Abu (L-γ-glutamyl-L-2-amino-butyric acid) and a complex kokumi-imparting agent which includes the foregoing substance and another substance having a CaSR agonist activity, in combination.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a flavour composition comprising free glutamate, said method comprises providing wheat gluten and contacting the wheat gluten with a protease, with an exopeptidase and with a glutaminase to produce the flavour composition comprising free glutamate.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a flavour composition comprising free glutamate, said method comprises providing wheat gluten and contacting the wheat gluten with a protease, with an exopeptidase and with a glutaminase to produce the flavour composition comprising free glutamate.

A pyroglutamic acid composition comprising pyroglutamic acid enhances the umami sensation of food products when topically applied. The pyroglutamic acid may be derived from a food product such as a tuber product or potato. The pyroglutamic acid may be in the form of L-pyroglutamic acid, D-pyroglutamic acid, or mixtures thereof. Topical addition of pyroglutamic acid in an amount of between about 300 to about 12,000 ppm onto a food product enhances both the salty and umami taste perceptions simultaneously. Other seasonings may also be simultaneously applied to the food product as part of the pyroglutamic acid composition. Alternatively, additional seasoning may be applied apart from the addition of the pyroglutamic acid in a separate step.

A pyroglutamic acid composition comprising pyroglutamic acid enhances the umami sensation of food products when topically applied. The pyroglutamic acid may be derived from a food product such as a tuber product or potato. The pyroglutamic acid may be in the form of L-pyroglutamic acid, D-pyroglutamic acid, or mixtures thereof. Topical addition of pyroglutamic acid in an amount of between about 300 to about 12,000 ppm onto a food product enhances both the salty and umami taste perceptions simultaneously. Other seasonings may also be simultaneously applied to the food product as part of the pyroglutamic acid composition. Alternatively, additional seasoning may be applied apart from the addition of the pyroglutamic acid in a separate step.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to sweetener and/or umami compositions, methods of making same, products comprising same, and methods of improving mouthfeel in a product, e.g., a savory or umami food or beverage. In various aspects, the disclosed compositions comprise a sweetening agent and/or an umami agent and a taste modulator component. In various aspects, the disclosed sweetener compositions comprise a sweetening agent and a taste modulator component. In further aspects, the disclosed savory compositions comprise an umami agent and a taste modulator component. In further aspects, the disclosed taste modulator composition can further comprise an additional CaSR modulator. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to sweetener and/or umami compositions, methods of making same, products comprising same, and methods of improving mouthfeel in a product, e.g., a savory or umami food or beverage. In various aspects, the disclosed compositions comprise a sweetening agent and/or an umami agent and a taste modulator component. In various aspects, the disclosed sweetener compositions comprise a sweetening agent and a taste modulator component. In further aspects, the disclosed savory compositions comprise an umami agent and a taste modulator component. In further aspects, the disclosed taste modulator composition can further comprise an additional CaSR modulator. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

The present invention relates to a potato derived flavour enhancing composition having a dry matter content of at least 3 wt. % and containing per kg of dry matter: •150-900 g of proteinaceous matter; •0-100 g of starch; •0-5 mg of chlorogenic acid; •0-30 mg of glycoalkaloid selected from α-solanine, α-chaconine and combinations thereof; wherein free amino acids represent at least 80 wt. % of the proteinaceous matter, said free amino acids comprising: •a first group of free amino acids selected from asparagine (Asn), aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), pyroglutamate (pGlu) and combinations thereof, said first group of free amino acids representing 45-95 wt. % of the free amino acids; •a second group of free amino acids selected from glycine (Gly), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), serine (Ser), isoleucine (Ile) and combinations thereof, said second group of free amino acids representing 1-20 wt. % of the free amino acids; •at least 3.5 wt. % Glu; wherein the first group of free amino acids and the second group of free amino acids are present in a weight ratio of at least 4:1. The flavour enhancing composition according to the present invention is obtained by removing most of the starch and protein naturally present in potato, by additionally removing the bulk of glycoalkaloids (α-solanine, α-chaconine) that are endogenous to potato, and by retaining flavour enhancing components, including glutamate.

The present invention relates to a potato derived flavour enhancing composition having a dry matter content of at least 3 wt. % and containing per kg of dry matter: •150-900 g of proteinaceous matter; •0-100 g of starch; •0-5 mg of chlorogenic acid; •0-30 mg of glycoalkaloid selected from α-solanine, α-chaconine and combinations thereof; wherein free amino acids represent at least 80 wt. % of the proteinaceous matter, said free amino acids comprising: •a first group of free amino acids selected from asparagine (Asn), aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), pyroglutamate (pGlu) and combinations thereof, said first group of free amino acids representing 45-95 wt. % of the free amino acids; •a second group of free amino acids selected from glycine (Gly), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), serine (Ser), isoleucine (Ile) and combinations thereof, said second group of free amino acids representing 1-20 wt. % of the free amino acids; •at least 3.5 wt. % Glu; wherein the first group of free amino acids and the second group of free amino acids are present in a weight ratio of at least 4:1. The flavour enhancing composition according to the present invention is obtained by removing most of the starch and protein naturally present in potato, by additionally removing the bulk of glycoalkaloids (α-solanine, α-chaconine) that are endogenous to potato, and by retaining flavour enhancing components, including glutamate.