Natural sweetener compositions containing alkyl lactate esters and uses thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of natural sweetener compositions for use in the flavor industry. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising: a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof; at least one C1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate ester; and one or more food grade co-solvents. The present disclosure also relates to the use of said compositions in consumer products, such as flavored products.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from European application No. 22215733.1 filed on December 22, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of natural sweetener compositions for flavor (edible flavor) industry. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising: a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof; at least one C 1-6 a linear or branched alkyl lactate; and one or more food-grade co-solvents. The present disclosure also relates to the use of the composition in consumer products such as flavored products. Background Art

[0004] Metabolic disorders and related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are major public health problems worldwide. Their prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate in nearly every developed country. Caloric sweeteners, such as sucrose and fructose, are key contributors to the prevalence of these metabolic disorders and related diseases.

[0005] To date, many products have been proposed to address these problems. For example, artificial high-intensity sweeteners have been developed that deliver sweetness at very low doses. Among the high-intensity sweeteners currently available on the market, Sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, cyclamate, and saccharin are all well-known alternatives. However, consumers are showing far more interest in natural or naturally derived products than their artificial counterparts.

[0006] Many natural sweeteners, such as steviol glycosides, mogrosides, etc., can meet this demand of consumers. However, many natural sweeteners are solids and have low solubility in most common flavor solvents (such as water), which makes them difficult to handle and difficult to add to the flavored products required by consumers. Although some liquid solutions of natural sweeteners are known, such solutions require high-temperature heating to completely dissolve the natural sweeteners, resulting in unstable solutions or only stable for a short time, which is not conducive to long-term storage. In other cases, some liquid solutions of natural sweeteners need to be heated shortly before dilution and final application. The need for heat treatment has a significant impact on production costs. In some other cases, some solvents that may be suitable for dissolving natural sweeteners will have the undesirable effect of producing odor when used in high concentrations.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an easy-to-handle natural sweetener solution that is based on a food-grade solvent, has a high sweetener concentration, is stable for a long time at room temperature (i.e., clear and without precipitation), and can be diluted in water to achieve the target concentration in the final application. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The following aspects of the present disclosure are intended to solve one or more of the problems described above.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising:

[0010] a) a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixtures thereof;

[0011] b) at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate; and

[0012] c) one or more food-grade co-solvents.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for preparing the composition described herein.

[0014] In a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a flavored product comprising the composition described herein. Detailed Description

[0015] The following detailed description sets forth the various aspects and embodiments provided herein. This description should be read from the perspective of a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Accordingly, information that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art is not necessarily included. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the various aspects and embodiments provided herein can be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified herein, the following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below. The present disclosure may employ other terms and phrases that are not explicitly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases will have the meanings that are apparent in the context of the present disclosure to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In some cases, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such cases, it should be understood that any term in the singular form may include its plural form, and vice versa, unless the contrary is explicitly stated. All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this specification belongs, unless otherwise defined.

[0017] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "a", "an", or "the" each mean "one or more" or "at least one".

[0018] Although the compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various components, substances, and steps. As used herein, the term "consist essentially of" shall be interpreted to include the listed components, substances, or steps and such additional components, substances, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the composition or method. In some embodiments, a composition "consisting essentially of the components or substances" according to the embodiments of the present disclosure does not include any additional components or substances that alter the basic and novel properties of the composition.

[0019] It should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include all subranges between the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10; that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Since the disclosed numerical ranges are continuous, they include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Unless otherwise expressly specified, the various numerical ranges recited in this application are approximations.

[0020] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "about" or "approximately" refer to an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the terms "about" or "approximately" refer to within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the terms "about" or "approximately" refer to within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0021] Throughout this disclosure, various publications may be incorporated by reference. If any term in these publications incorporated by reference conflicts with the meaning of the terms of this disclosure, the meaning of the terms of this disclosure shall control, unless otherwise stated.

[0022] As used herein, a "solvate" refers to a compound formed by the interaction of one or more solvent molecules with one or more of the compounds described herein. In some embodiments, the solvate is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate, such as a hydrate.

[0023] As used herein, "C a to C b " or "C a-b " refers to the number of carbon atoms in the specified group. That is, the group can contain from "a" to "b" (including the end values) carbon atoms. Thus, for example, "C1 to C4 alkyl" or "C 1-4"Alkyl" refers to all alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbons, namely CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, (CH3)2CH-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2CH(CH3)-, and (CH3)3C-.

[0024] As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a fully saturated straight or branched hydrocarbon chain (i.e., not containing double or triple bonds). In some embodiments, the alkyl has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms (when a numerical range such as "1 to 20" appears herein, it refers to each integer within the given range; for example, "from 1 to 20 carbon atoms" means that the alkyl can consist of 1 carbon atom, 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, etc., up to and including 20 carbon atoms, although this definition also encompasses occurrences of the term "alkyl" where no numerical range is specified). The alkyl can also be a medium-sized alkyl having from 1 to 9 carbon atoms. The alkyl can also be a lower alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The alkyl can be referred to as "C 1-4 alkyl" or a similar name. By way of example only, "C 1-4 alkyl" indicates the presence of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, i.e., the alkyl chain is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl. Typical alkyls include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, etc. Unless indicated to the contrary, the term "alkyl" refers to a group that is not further substituted.

[0025] As used herein, "optionally" means that the subsequently described event may or may not occur. In some embodiments, the optional event does not occur. In some other embodiments, the optional event does occur one or more times.

[0026] As used herein, "or" will be given its broadest reasonable interpretation and is not limited to an "either / or" construction. Thus, the phrase "comprising A or B" means that A can be present without B, or B can be present without A, or both A and B can be present. Further, for example, if A defines a class that can have multiple members (e.g., A1 and A2), one or more members of that class can be present simultaneously.

[0027] As used herein, "for example", "such as", "like", or "including" are intended to introduce examples that further clarify a more general subject. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, providing such examples is merely to aid in understanding the embodiments shown in the present disclosure and is not meant to be limiting in any way. These phrases also do not denote any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiments.

[0028] In a first form, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising:

[0029] a) a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof;

[0030] b) at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate; and

[0031] c) one or more food-grade co-solvents.

[0032] The natural sweetener is selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof.

[0033] As used herein, the term "steviol glycoside" refers to steviol glycosides that occur naturally in plant species such as Stevia rebaudiana, Stevia phlebophylla, or Rubus chingii. Such compounds are glycosides of the diterpene steviol. Some non-limiting examples include stevioside, rebaudioside, dulcoside A, etc.

[0034] [[ID=2,0]]In one embodiment, the natural sweetener comprises one or more steviol glycosides. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener comprises one or more rebaudiosides selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside O, rebaudioside M, and any combination thereof.

[0035] In some embodiments, the natural sweetener comprises one or more mogrosides. Exemplary mogrosides include, but are not limited to: mogroside III, mogroside IV, mogroside V, semenoside, isomogroside V, mogroside IV E , isomogroside V, mogroside III E , 11-oxomogroside V, the α-isomer of isomogroside V, neomogroside, and any combination thereof. Other mogroside compounds that can be used as sweeteners have been described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0119032. In one embodiment, the natural sweetener comprises one or more mogrosides selected from the group consisting of mogroside III, mogroside IV, mogroside V, semenoside, isomogroside V, mogroside IV E , isomogroside V, mogroside III E , 11-oxomogroside V, the α-isomer of isomogroside V, neomogroside, and any combination thereof.

[0036] Unexpectedly, it has been found that the compositions of the present disclosure can highly concentrate natural sweeteners while remaining stable (i.e., clear and precipitate-free) for extended periods at ambient temperature or room temperature (RT), typically below or equal to 25 °C. Thus, in some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 1% to 50% by weight, typically 4% to 40% by weight, more typically 5% to 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 5% to 30% by weight, typically 5% to 25% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 5% to 10% by weight, typically 5% to 9% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 5% to 15% by weight, typically 8% to 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 20% to 30% by weight, typically 22% to 28% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 30% to 50% by weight, typically 35% to 45% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. Solutions in which natural sweeteners are highly concentrated and stable for extended periods at room temperature have advantages such as low cost of use, low volume requirements for transportation, and little impact on taste (e.g., off-flavors due to large amounts of solvent).

[0037] As used herein, "solubility at 25 °C" or "solubility at room temperature" refers to the thermodynamic equilibrium solubility of the natural sweetener at 25 °C or room temperature. Those skilled in the art will understand that the solubility of any solid compound increases significantly with increasing temperature of the solvent system. Subsequently, even if the temperature is restored to a lower temperature, e.g., 25 °C, the solid compound may remain in solution in a supersaturated state for some time. However, this is an apparent solubility due to non-equilibrium, metastable state, and limited storage stability, and thus is different from the thermodynamic solubility at equilibrium. The thermodynamic solubility can be determined, for example, using the so-called shake flask method at a controlled temperature. Alternatively, it can be determined by slowly heating the compound and recording the dissolution temperature after complete dissolution.

[0038] The C in the composition according to the present disclosure 1-6 The straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl lactate is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the C 1-6 The straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl lactate is a C 1-4 The straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl lactate. In another embodiment, the C 1-6 The straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl lactate is a C 1-4 The straight-chain alkyl lactate. In one embodiment, the at least one C 1-6 The straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl lactate is ethyl lactate.

[0039] The content of the at least one C 1-6 The content of the linear or branched alkyl lactate is not particularly limited. However, in one embodiment, the at least one C 1-6 The amount of the linear or branched alkyl lactate present is from 5% to 95% by weight, typically from 20% to 80% by weight, more typically from 25% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the at least one C 1-6 The amount of the linear or branched alkyl lactate present is from 30% to 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0040] One or more food-grade co-solvents suitable for use according to the present disclosure are not particularly limited. As used herein, a food-grade solvent refers to a solvent that is suitable for use in food in terms of purity, flavor characteristics, color, odor, etc. There are a variety of known food-grade solvents. Exemplary solvents belong to the categories of alkylene glycols, alcohols, oils, and flavorings. Specific suitable food-grade solvents include, but are not limited to: water, ethanol, n-propanol (1-propanol), isopropanol (2-propanol), butanediol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, vegetable oil, olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, persic oil, sesame oil, fractionated coconut oil, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, triglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides, ethyl levulinate, butyl stearate, triethyl citrate, diethyl succinate, diethyl malonate, acetic acid, lactic acid, benzyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, D-limonene, γ-valerolactone, butyrolactone, 1,2-propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

[0041] In one embodiment, the one or more food-grade co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol.

[0042] In one embodiment, the one or more food-grade co-solvents contain from 0% to 50% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0043] The use of acids or surfactants is not contemplated in the compositions described herein. Thus, in some embodiments, the one or more food-grade co-solvents do not contain any acids. In other embodiments, the one or more food-grade co-solvents do not contain any surfactants, including cationic, anionic, and non-ionic surfactants. Thus, the compositions described herein do not contain any acids and / or do not contain any surfactants.

[0044] In some embodiments, the one or more food-grade co-solvents are selected based on their Hansen Solubility Parameters. Hansen Solubility Parameters can be used to predict whether one material will dissolve in another material and form a solution.

[0045] The Hansen Solubility Parameter (HSP) is a physicochemical parameter used to evaluate the type of interaction forces associated with the compatibility between different materials. The basis of the HSP is the assumption that the cohesive energy (E) can be divided into three parts, corresponding to the atomic dispersion (E d ), molecular dipole interaction (E p ) and hydrogen bonding interactions (E h ). Similarly, the total solubility parameter can be divided into three components corresponding to the different types of molecular interactions mentioned above: dispersion (δd), polarity (δ p ) and hydrogen bonds (δ h ).

[0046] Each molecule is assigned three Hansen solubility parameters, each usually expressed in MPa 0.5 Unit:

[0047] δd: energy generated by intermolecular dispersion forces;

[0048] δ p : the energy generated by the intermolecular dipole-dipole intermolecular forces; and

[0049] δ h : Energy generated by intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

[0050] Hansen solubility parameters can be thought of as the coordinates of a point in three-dimensional space (also known as Hansen space). The closer two molecules are in Hansen space, the more likely they are to dissolve in each other. For more information on Hansen solubility parameters, please visit https: / / www.hansen-solubility.com / .

[0051] The following table lists the Hansen solubility parameters of exemplary food-grade solvents. The values are in MPa. 0.5 , calculated using the HSPiP program, available from https: / / www.hansen-solubility.com / .

[0052] Solvent <![CDATA[δ d > <![CDATA[δ p > <![CDATA[δ h > Water 15.5 16 42.3 Glycerol 17.4 11.3 27.2 Ethanol 15.8 8.8 19.4 1,2 - Propylene glycol 16.8 10.4 21.3 1 - Propanol 16 6.8 17.4 2 - Propanol 15.8 6.1 16.4 Triethyl citrate 16.5 4.9 12 Limonene 17.2 1.8 4.3 Ethyl lactate 16 7.6 12.5

[0053] In one embodiment, the Hansen Solubility Parameter δ of the one or more food-grade co-solvents is p and δ h Higher than at least one C 1-6 δ of linear or branched alkyl lactate p and δ h .

[0054] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate and a food-grade co-solvent.

[0055] The total amount of solvents (at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate and one or more food-grade co-solvents) in the compositions of the present disclosure is not particularly limited. However, in some embodiments, the total amount of solvents is 10% to 99% by weight, typically 50% to 99% by weight, more typically 50% to 95% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

[0056] The composition is transparent and stable at ambient temperature, typically at a temperature below or equal to 25 °C, for a period of time, typically for several hours, more typically for several days, and even more typically for several weeks.

[0057] As used herein, the term "transparent" means that, in the absence of colorants or fluorescent agents, with deionized water as a reference, the transmittance of the composition at a light path of 1 cm in visible light (500 - 800 nm) is 100%.

[0058] As used herein, the term "stable" means that the composition does not undergo phase separation and remains transparent, without any detectable signs of turbidity, cloudiness, or precipitation.

[0059] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the composition described herein. The method comprises:

[0060] a') mixing at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate with one or more food-grade co-solvents;

[0061] b') adding a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof to the mixture obtained in step a'); and

[0062] c) mixing the combination obtained in step b') to form the composition.

[0063] In a suitable method, the at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate is mixed with one or more food-grade co-solvents using a mechanical stirrer to obtain a clear single-phase liquid. In some embodiments, the temperature range is 20 °C to 25 °C, typically 21 °C to 23 °C. Then, a pure natural sweetener or a blend of multiple solid natural sweeteners is added to the transparent solvent mixture and mechanically stirred. Then, mechanical stirring is continued until the natural sweetener is observed to be completely dissolved.

[0064] In one embodiment, the mixing step c) is carried out at ambient temperature, typically in the temperature range of 15°C to 25°C.

[0065] In another embodiment, the mixing step c) is carried out at a temperature above 25°C. Accordingly, the amount of the natural sweetener added does not exceed the amount equivalent to the thermodynamic solubility in the solvent mixture at 25°C.

[0066] The at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate and the one or more food-grade co-solvents are as described above and are appropriately modified for use in the methods described herein.

[0067] In one embodiment, the one or more food-grade co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol.

[0068] In a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a flavored product comprising the composition described herein.

[0069] The content of the composition in the flavored product is not particularly limited. However, in a suitable embodiment, the composition is present in an amount of 0.001% to 5% by weight, typically 0.01% to 1% by weight, and more typically 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the flavored product.

[0070] In some embodiments, the flavored product is a food product, a beverage product, an oral care product, or a pharmaceutical product.

[0071] The flavored product may further comprise a cooling compound, a cooling enhancing compound, a sweetener other than steviol glycosides or mogrosides, or a combination thereof.

[0072] As used herein, "cooling compound" refers to a compound that modulates the TRPM8 receptor.

[0073] Exemplary cooling compounds include, but are not limited to, compounds selected from the group consisting of: (-)-menthol, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, cubeb alcohol, isopulegol, 3-(L-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol, cis / trans-p-menthane-3,8-diol, 3-(L-menthoxy)-2-methylpropane-1,2-diol, 2-[2-(p-menthan-3-yloxy)ethoxy]ethanol, menthoxyethanol, (1R,2R,4R)-1-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohexyl)ethenone, (1R,2R,5R)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide, N-[4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl]-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide, N-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxamide, L-menthyl lactate, (-)-menthyl glycol carbonate, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, D / L-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl 1-propylene glycol carbonate, (-)-menthyl 2-propylene glycol carbonate, D / L-menthyl 1-propylene glycol carbonate, D / L-menthyl 2-propylene glycol carbonate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, menthyl ethylamide oxalate, (E)-3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-N,N-diphenyl-2-propenamide, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid, N,N-diphenylamide, N,N-dimethyl(-)-menthyl succinimide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-(carbamoylmethyl)phenyl)-menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthyl pyrrolidonecarboxylate, L-norephedrine p-menthane carboxamide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl)menthylcarboxamide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, 6-isopropyl-3,9-dimethyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]Decan-2-one, (1R,2R,4S)-dihydroumbellulol, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutanamide, ethyl 3-(p-menthane-3-carboxamido)acetate, N-ethyl-2,2-diisopropylbutanamide, N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethylbutanamide, N-cyclopropyl-5-methyl-2-isopropyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide, (-)-menthyl acetoacetate, (-)-menthyl succinate, (-)-menthyl (S)-3-hydroxybutyrate, (-)-menthyl glutarate, 1-[2-hydroxyphenyl]-4-[2-nitrophenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-one, di-(-)-menthyl glutarate, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide, and any combination thereof.

[0074] In some embodiments, the cooling compound can be the cooling compound described in WO 2021 / 074281. For example, (2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)methanone, (2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)(thietan-3-yl)methanone, (2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl)(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, (2-ethoxycyclopropyl)(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, (2-methoxycyclopropyl)(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, (2-methylcyclopropyl)(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, (2S)-2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, (5-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-yl)(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, (E)-1-(2-(5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbut-2-en-1-one, (E)-2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one, (E)-2-methyl-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)pent-3-en-1-one, (R)-2-(methylthio)-1-((R)-2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, (S)-2-(methylthio)-1-((R)-2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, (S)-2-(methylthio)-1-((S)-2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, (S)-2-methyl-1-((R)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, (tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, 1-(2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one,1-(2-(4-(2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran-6-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2,5-Dimethylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2-Cyclopropyl-oxazol-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2-Fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(3-((Dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(3,5-Dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(3-Methylfuran-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-((1,1-Dioxosulfolane)methyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-(1-Hydroxyethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-(Difluoromethoxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-(Difluoromethyl)thiophen-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-(tert-Butyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one1-(2-(4-(4-Cyclobutylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-Cyclopropyl-2-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-Isopropylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(4-Methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(5-((Dimethylamino)methyl)thiophen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(5-Methylfuran-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(5-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-(Benzo[b]thiophen-6-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Methyl-5-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-((trifluoromethyl)thio)ethan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)hexa-3,5-dien-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)penta-4-en-1-one, 1-(2-(4-Phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(2,3-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one,1-(2-(5-(2-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(2-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(2-Methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-(Methylamino)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbut-3-en-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-Fluoro-4-(methoxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-Fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-Methoxyisothiazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-((Methylamino)methyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(2-Methoxyethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(Aminomethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-Acetylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one1-(2-(5-(4-Aminophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-ethylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-methyl-6-(methylthio)pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(5-(methoxymethyl)thiophen-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-benzyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-bromo-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 2-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzonitrile, 2-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-carbonyl)cyclopropane-1-carbonitrile, 2-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(allylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(dimethylamino)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-(dimethylamino)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one2-(ethylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(furan-2-yl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-(furan-2-yl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(furan-3-yl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-(furan-3-yl)-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylamino)-N-(4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl)acetamide, 2-(methylsulfinyl)-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(2-(p-tolyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(1-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(4-(morpholinomethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)furan-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)thiophen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(5-methylthiophen-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(m-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(o-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one,2-(Methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(thiophen-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(4-propylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(4-vinylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)azepan-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)isoxazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)thiazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one,2-(Methylthio)-1-(2-(5-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(4-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)thiazolidin-3-yl)propan-1-one, 2,2,3-trimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one, 2,2,3-trimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one, 2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2,3-dimethoxy-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2,3-dimethyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2,5-difluoro-4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzonitrile, 2-amino-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-cyclobutyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-cyclopentyl-2-ethoxy-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-cyclopropyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-cyclopropyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-cyclopropyl-2-methoxy-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, 2-ethoxy-1-(2-(5-(3-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-ethyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one, 2-ethyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-fluoro-4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzonitrile2-Mercapto-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methoxy-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-methoxy-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methoxy-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butane-1,3-dione, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methylene-1-(2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 3-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzonitrile, 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 3,3-difluoro-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 3-fluoro-4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzonitrile, 3-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one, 3-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzonitrile,4-(2-(1-(2-(Methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzaldehyde, 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methyl-1-(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, bicyclo[1.1.1]pent-1-yl(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, cyclobutyl(2-(5-(3-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, cyclopentyl(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, cyclopropyl(2-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, methyl 4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzoate, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(3-nitrophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, N-(4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)phenyl)methanesulfonamide, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 1-(sec-butylsulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(sec-butylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(isopropylsulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(isopropylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-((1-(methylthio)ethyl)sulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-((1-(methylthio)ethyl)sulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-((2-(methylthio)propan-2-yl)sulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-((2-(methylthio)propan-2-yl)sulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(but-3-en-2-ylsulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(but-3-en-2-ylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(pent-3-en-2-ylsulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(pent-3-en-2-ylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine1-((2-Methylbut-3-en-2-yl)sulfinyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-((2-Methylbut-3-en-2-yl)sulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(2-(5-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 2-(Methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-Hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)propan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)propan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)propan-1-one, 1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)propan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)propan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfinyl)propan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfinyl)propan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfinyl)propan-1-one1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfinyl)propan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylsulfinyl)propan-1-one, 1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-(4-hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(methylthio)propan-1-one, 1-(2-Hydroxy-6-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(5-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(3-Hydroxy-2-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 4-(2-(1-(2-Methylbutanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzaldehyde, 4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzoic acid, 4-(2-(1-(2-Methylbutanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzoic acid, (2,2-Dimethylcyclopropyl)(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone, 1-(2-(5-Bromo-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 2-(4-(2-(1-(2-(methylthio)propanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl)acetonitrile, 2-(4-(2-(1-(2-Methylbutanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl)acetonitrile, 2-(4-(2-(1-(2-Methylbutanoyl)piperidin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl)acetonitrile, 2,3-Dimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one2-Methyl-1-(2-(5-(o-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(m-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 1-(2-(5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-methylbutan-1-one, 1-(isopropylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(sec-butylsulfonyl)-2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidine, 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(4-(p-tolyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-1-(2-(4-(p-tolyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, their derivatives (such as those described in WO 2022 / 170519), or any combination thereof.

[0075] In some embodiments, the cooling compound can be 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one, 2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-(methylthio)-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one, 2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one, or a combination thereof.

[0076] In some embodiments, the cooling compound can be 1-isopropyl-3,3,5,7-tetramethyloctahydrobenzo[c]isoxazole, 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,3,5,7-pentamethyloctahydrobenzo[c]isoxazole (including (3aR,5R,7S,7aR)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,3,5,7-pentamethyloctahydrobenzo[c]isoxazole, (3aR,5R,7R,7aR)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,3,5,7-pentamethyloctahydrobenzo[c]isoxazole, (3aR,5R,7S,7aS)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,3,5,7-pentamethyloctahydrobenzo[c]isoxazole, or any combination thereof.

[0077] As used herein, a "cooling enhancing compound" is capable of enhancing the cooling sensation provided by a consumer product containing a cooling compound, but may also provide a cooling sensation alone. Such cooling enhancing compounds include, but are not limited to, naturally derived compounds such as menthol or its analogs, or synthetic compounds such as any of the compounds described in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,394,287 and 10,421,727. Exemplary cooling enhancing compounds include, but are not limited to, compounds selected from the group consisting of: N-ethyl-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(p-tolyloxy)acetamide; N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(p-tolyloxy)acetamide; 2-(4-fluorophenoxy)-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)acetamide; 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methylphenoxy)-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-acetamide; 2-((2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy)-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-acetamide; 2-((2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy)-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-acetamide; 5-methoxy-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 2-(4-ethylphenoxy)-N-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)acetamide; (E / Z)-2-methyl-2-butenal; (E / Z)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal; their derivatives such as those described in WO 2022 / 170519, and any combination thereof.

[0078] The flavored product may also contain a sweetener other than steviol glycosides or mogrosides. The sweetener may comprise a low-calorie, zero-calorie or high-intensity sweetener. The term "high-intensity sweetener" refers to a sweetener that is sweeter than sucrose, such as at least 10 times sweeter, or at least 20 times sweeter, or at least 50 times sweeter, or at least 100 times sweeter, or at least 250 times sweeter, or at least 500 times sweeter, or at least 750 times sweeter, or at least 1000 times sweeter, or at least 2500 times sweeter, or at least 5000 times sweeter, or at least 7500 times sweeter, or at least 10000 times sweeter than sucrose. In this context, saying that a sweetener is x times sweeter than sucrose means that at a concentration relative to 1 / x of the weight of sucrose in an aqueous solution of the sweetener, it produces a sweetness equivalent to that of sucrose.

[0079] Examples of suitable sweeteners are set forth in more detail below. In some embodiments, the sweetener is sucralose, which refers to 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside. In some embodiments, the sweetener is sodium saccharin. Sodium saccharin can be present at any suitable concentration. In some embodiments, the concentration of sodium saccharin ranges from 10 ppm to 10,000 ppm, or from 50 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or from 100 ppm to 3,000 ppm.

[0080] In some embodiments, the sweetener can include caloric sugars such as sucrose, glucose, fructose (e.g., in the form of high fructose corn syrup), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sweetener includes one or more high-intensity artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, neotame, etc. When any such artificial high-intensity sweeteners are present in the sweetener, their concentrations will be generally the same as those described above for sucralose. In some other embodiments, the sweetener includes one or more low-calorie carbohydrates or sugar alcohols such as allulose, xylitol, erythritol, etc.

[0081] The flavored products of the present disclosure may also contain various other sweeteners. Non-limiting examples include D-allulose, L-ribose, D-tagatose, L-glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, D-turanose, D-leucrose, isomaltitol, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, maltodextrin, saccharin, alitame, cyclamic acid, tagatose, maltose, galactose, mannose, lactose, D-tryptophan, glycine, maltitol, lactitol, isomaltitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH), chemically modified mogrosides (such as glucosylated mogrosides), carrelame and other guanidine-based sweeteners, honey, Jerusalem artichoke syrup, licorice root, monk fruit (fruit, powder or extract), lucuma (fruit, powder or extract), maple sap (including, for example, sap extracted from Acer saccharum, Acer nigrum, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Acer platanoides, Acer negundo, Acer macrophyllum, Acer grandidentatum, Acer glabrum, Acer mono), maple syrup, maple sugar, walnut sap (including, for example, sap extracted from Juglans cinerea, Juglans nigra, Juglans ailatifolia, Juglans regia), birch sap (including, for example, sap extracted from Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, Betula nigra, Betula populifolia, Betula pendula), sycamore sap (such as sap extracted from Platanus occidentalis), ironwood sap (such as sap extracted from Ostrya virginiana), unrefined sucrose (mascobado), molasses (such as blackstrap molasses, for example), treacle sugar, monatin, monellin, canesugar) (also known as natural sugar, unrefined cane sugar or sucrose), palm sugar, panela (panocha), piloncillo, rapadura, raw sugar, rice syrup, sorghum, sorghum syrup, tapioca syrup (also known as tapioca starch syrup), thaumatin, yacon root, malt syrup, barley malt syrup, barley malt powder, beet sugar, cane sugar, crystallized fruit juice crystals, caramel, carbitol, carob syrup, castor sugar, hydrogenated starch hydrolates, hydrolyzed canned fruit juice, hydrolyzed starch, invert sugar, anethole, arabinogalactan, arrope (concentrated grape juice), syrup, P-4000, acesulfame potassium (also known as acesulfame-K or ace-K), alitame (also known as aclame), advantame, aspartame, baiyunosdie, neotame, benzamide derivatives, bernadame, canderel (aspartame alias), carrelame and other guanidine-based sweeteners, plant fiber, corn sugar, conjugated sugar, curculin, cyclohexylsulfamate, cyclocaryoside I, demerara sugar, dextran, dextrin, diastatic maltmalt), dulcin, sucrol, valzin, dulcoside A, dulcoside B, emulin, enoxolone, maltodextrin, saccharin, estragole, ethyl maltol, glucin, gluconic acid, glucono delta-lactone, glucosamine, glucuronic acid, glycerol, glycine, glycyphillin, glycyrrhizin, enoxolone monoglucuronide, blond sugar, brown sugar, golden syrup, granulated sugar, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, hernandulcin, isomerized liquid sugar, jallab, chicory root dietary fiber, kynurenine derivatives (including N'-formyl-kynurenine, N'-acetyl-kynurenine, 6-chloro-kynurenine), galactitol, litse, ligicane, lycasin, N-(4-cyanophenyl)-N-(2,3-methylenedioxybenzyl)guanidine acetic acid (lugduname), guanidine, falernum, mabinlin I, mabinlin II, maltol, crystalline maltitol (maltisorb), maltodextrin, maltotriol, mannosamine, miraculin, mizuame, mogrosides (including for example mogroside IV, mogroside V and neomogroside), mukurozioside, nano sugar, naringin dihydrochalcone, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, nib sugar, black oligosaccharide, norbu, apricot syrup, osladin, pekmez, pentadin, periandrin I, perillaldehyde, perillartine, petphyllum, phenylalanine, phloisosideside I, phloridzin, phyllodulcin, polyglycitol syrup, polypodoside A, pterocaryoside A, pterocaryoside B, rebiana, refined syrup, rub syrup, rubusoside, selligueain A, shugr, gymnemic acid I, siraitia grosvenorii, soybean oligosaccharide, Splenda, SRIoximeV, steviol glycosides, steviolbiosides, stevioside, strogins 1, 2 and 4, sucronic acid, sucrononate, sugars, sodium suosan, phloridzin, super aspartame, tetrasaccharides, threitol, treacle, trilobtain, tryptophan and derivatives (6-trifluoromethyl-tryptophan, 6-chloro-D-tryptophan), vanillinose, heptitol, birch syrup, aspartame-acesulfame, assugrin, and combinations or blends of any two or more thereof.

[0082] In a specific embodiment, the flavored product comprises a sweetener selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose, erythritol, sucralose, xylitol, and any combination thereof.

[0083] In some embodiments, the flavored product may comprise 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(1H)-one or any suitable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the flavored product disclosed herein may comprise the hydrochloride salt of 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(1H)-one.

[0084] In some embodiments of any of the foregoing embodiments, the flavored product may comprise a lactone. Any suitable lactone or combination of lactones may be used. In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a lactone ring having from 3 to 8 members in the ring, such as a 3-membered lactone ring, a 4-membered lactone ring, a 5-membered lactone ring, a 6-membered lactone ring, a 7-membered lactone ring, or an 8-membered lactone ring.

[0085] In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a 5-membered lactone ring having or not having an unsaturated bond (excluding the unsaturation in the oxo substituents on the ring), such as a carbon-carbon double bond. In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a 5-membered lactone ring having at least one unsaturated bond (such as one carbon-carbon double bond). Non-limiting examples of lactones comprising a 5-membered lactone ring having at least one unsaturated bond include angelica lactone α, angelica lactone β, menthol lactone, 5,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, 5-ethyl-2(5H)-furanone, 5-pentyl-2(5H)-furanone, 5-hexyl-2(5H)-furanone, 5-pentyl-2(3H)-furanone, 4-methyl-3-pentyl-2(5H)-furanone, and 2(5H)-furanone. In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a 5-membered lactone ring having no unsaturated bonds. Non-limiting examples of such lactones include γ-butyrolactone, γ-valerolactone, γ-caprolactone, γ-heptalactone, γ-octalactone, γ-undecalactone, γ-decalactone, dihydrojasmone lactone, and dihydro menthol lactone (3,6-dimethyl-hexahydro-2(3H)-benzofuranone). In some embodiments, the lactone is dihydro menthol lactone.

[0086] In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a 6-membered lactone ring having or not having an unsaturated bond. In some embodiments, the lactone comprises a 6-membered lactone ring having at least one unsaturated bond. Non-limiting examples of lactones comprising a 6-membered lactone ring having at least one unsaturated bond include δ-2-decenolide, coumarin, and 6-methylcoumarin. In some other embodiments, the lactone comprises a 6-membered lactone ring having no unsaturated bonds. Non-limiting examples of lactones comprising a 6-membered lactone ring having no unsaturated bonds include δ-decalactone, δ-dodecalactone, and cyclohexyl lactone.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the flavored product further comprises one or more food additives, including but not limited to:

[0088] acids, including, for example, citric acid, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium bisulfate, lactic acid, or tartaric acid;

[0089] bitter components, including, for example, caffeine, quinine, green tea, catechins, polyphenols, raw robusta coffee bean extract, raw coffee bean extract, potassium chloride, menthol, or proteins (such as proteins and protein isolates from plants, algae, or fungi);

[0090] colorants, including, for example, caramel color, Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Blue #1, Red #3, purple carrot, black carrot juice, purple sweet potato, vegetable juice, fruit juice, β-carotene, turmeric curcumin, or titanium dioxide;

[0091] preservatives, including, for example, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium metabisulfite, sorbic acid, or benzoic acid;

[0092] Antioxidants, including, for example, ascorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, α-tocopherol, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, grape seed extract, resveratrol, or sodium hexametaphosphate;

[0093] Vitamins or functional ingredients, including, for example, resveratrol, Co-Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, theanine, choline chloride (citocoline), inositol, inulin (chicory root), taurine, ginseng extract, guarana extract, ginger extract, L-phenylalanine, L-carnitine, L-tartrate, D-glucuronolactone, inositol, bioflavonoids, echinacea, Ginkgo Biloba, yerba mate, linseed oil, Garcinia cambogia peel extract, white tea extract, ribose, milk thistle extract, grape seed extract, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), biotin, calcium lactate, calcium pantothenate (pantothenic acid), calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, chromium chloride, chromium polynicotinate, copper sulfate, folic acid, ferric pyrophosphate, iron, magnesium lactate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, monopotassium phosphate, monosodium phosphate, phosphorus, potassium iodide, potassium phosphate, riboflavin, sodium sulfate, sodium gluconate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium bicarbonate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3, vitamin A palmitate, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, or zinc sulfate;

[0094] Clouding agents, including, for example, ester gum, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), or sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB);

[0095] Buffers, including, for example, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, or salts;

[0096] Flavors, such as natural flavors, natural flavors with other natural flavors (natural flavor WONF), natural and artificial flavors, artificial flavors; or

[0097] Starches and stabilizers, including, for example, pectin, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, medium-chain triglycerides, cellulose gel, cellulose gum, sodium caseinate, modified food starch, gum arabic (acacia gum), inulin, or carrageenan.

[0098] In some further embodiments, the flavored products disclosed herein comprise one or more other umami or savory enhancing compounds. Such umami enhancing compounds include, but are not limited to, naturally derived compounds such as (E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(4-methoxyphenethyl)acrylamide (ericamide), or synthetic compounds such as any of the compounds described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,735,081, 8,124,121, and 8,968,708.

[0099] In some further embodiments, the flavored products disclosed herein may comprise one or more bitterness blocking compounds. Such bitterness blocking compounds include, but are not limited to, naturally derived compounds such as menthol or its analogs, or synthetic compounds such as any of the compounds described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,076,491, 8,445,692, and 9,247,759.

[0100] In some further embodiments, the flavored products disclosed herein may comprise one or more mouthfeel modifying compounds. Such mouthfeel modifying compounds include, but are not limited to, tannins, cellulosic materials, bamboo powder, and the like.

[0101] In some further embodiments, the flavored products disclosed herein may comprise one or more flavor masking compounds. Such flavor masking compounds include, but are not limited to, cellulosic materials, materials extracted from fungi, materials extracted from plants, citric acid, carbonic acid (or carbonates), and the like.

[0102] In certain embodiments, the flavored products disclosed herein may comprise cyclosal. When cyclosal is present, its relative concentration is similar to the lactones described herein.

[0103] In some embodiments, the flavored product comprises one or more flavorings, or any other additives described in H. Mitchell, Sweeteners and Sugar Alternatives in Food Technology, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2006. As used herein, the term "flavoring" includes those flavors known to the person skilled in the art, such as natural and artificial flavors. These flavorings can be selected from synthetic flavor oils and flavoring aromatics or oils from plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc., oleoresins and extracts, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting representative flavor oils include spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate), peppermint oil, Japanese peppermint oil, clove oil, bay oil, anise oil, eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, cedar leaf oil, nutmeg oil, allspice, sage oil, mace, bitter almond oil, and cassia oil. Useful flavorings also include artificial, natural, and synthetic fruit flavors, such as vanilla, and citrus oils, including lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, yuzu, sudachi, and fruit essences, including apple, pear, peach, grape, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, pineapple, watermelon, apricot, banana, melon, apricot, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, tropical fruits, mango, mangosteen, pomegranate, papaya, etc. Other potential flavorings include milk flavors, butter flavors, cheese flavors, cream flavors, and yogurt flavors; vanilla flavors; tea or coffee flavors, such as green tea flavors, oolong tea flavors, tea flavors, cocoa flavors, chocolate flavors, and coffee flavors; mint flavors, such as peppermint flavors, spearmint flavors, and Japanese peppermint flavors; spice flavors, such as asafoetida flavors, carom flavors, fennel flavors, angelica flavors, anise flavors, allspice flavors, cinnamon flavors, chamomile flavors, mustard flavors, cardamom flavors, coriander flavors, cumin flavors, clove flavors, pepper flavors, coriander flavors, sassafras flavors, savory flavors, Sichuan pepper flavors, shiso flavors, juniper flavors, ginger flavors, star anise flavors, horseradish flavors, thyme flavors, tarragon flavors, dill flavors, bell pepper flavors, nutmeg flavors, basil flavors, marjoram flavors, rosemary flavors, bay leaf flavors, and wasabi flavors; wine flavors, such as red wine flavors, whiskey flavors, brandy flavors, rum flavors, gin flavors, and liqueur flavors; flower flavors; and vegetable flavors, such as onion flavors, garlic flavors, cabbage flavors, carrot flavors, celery flavors, mushroom flavors, and tomato flavors.These flavoring agents can be used in liquid or solid form and can be used alone or in combination. Common flavoring agents include mint, such as peppermint, menthol, spearmint, artificial vanilla, cinnamon derivatives, and various fruit flavoring agents, whether used alone or in combination. The flavoring agents can also provide breath-freshening properties, especially mint flavoring agents when combined with cooling agents.

[0104] The flavoring agents can also provide breath-freshening properties, especially mint flavoring agents when combined with cooling agents. These flavoring agents can be used in liquid or solid form and can be used alone or in combination. Other useful flavoring agents include aldehydes and esters, such as cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, citral diethyl acetal, dihydrocarvyl acetate, eugenyl formate, p-methylanisole, etc. Generally, any flavoring agent or food additive can be used, such as those described by the National Academy of Sciences in Chemicals Used in Food Processing, publication 1274, pages 63-258.

[0105] Other examples of aldehyde flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, acetaldehyde (apple), benzaldehyde (cherry, almond), anisaldehyde (licorice, anise), cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon), citral, i.e., α-citral (lemon, lime), neral, i.e., β-citral (lemon, lime), decanal (orange, lemon), ethyl vanillin (vanilla, cream), heliotropin, i.e., piperonal (vanilla, cream), vanillin (vanilla, cream), α-amyl cinnamaldehyde (spicy fruity flavor), butyraldehyde (butter, cheese), valeraldehyde (butter, cheese), citronellal (modified products, various types), decanal (citrus fruits), aldehyde C-8 (citrus fruits), aldehyde C-9 (citrus fruits), aldehyde C-12 (citrus fruits), 2-ethyl butyraldehyde (berries), hexenal, i.e., trans-2 (berries), tolualdehyde (cherry, almond), veratraldehyde (vanilla), 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, i.e., melonal (melon), 2,6-dimethyloctanal (green fruits), and 2-dodecenal (citrus, tangerine), cherry, grape, strawberry shortcake, and mixtures thereof. This list of flavoring agents is merely exemplary and is not meant to generally limit the term "flavoring agent" or the scope of the general disclosure.

[0106] A flavored product can be any flavored product according to the forms and embodiments set forth below. In some embodiments, the flavored product is a beverage product, such as a fortified sparkling beverage, cola, lemon-lime sparkling beverage, orange sparkling beverage, grape sparkling beverage, strawberry sparkling beverage, pineapple sparkling beverage, ginger ale, root beer, fruit juice, fruit-flavored juice, fruit juice drink, nectar drink, vegetable juice, vegetable-flavored juice, sports drink, energy drink, fortified water beverage, vitamin-fortified water, near-water beverage, coconut water, tea beverage, coffee, cocoa beverage, milk component-containing beverage, cereal extract-containing beverage, and smoothie. In some other embodiments, the flavored product is a food product, such as a packaged food, canned food, meal replacement product, etc. In some embodiments, the flavored product is an oral care product, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, or a teeth whitening composition, such as the composition disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0167545, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] In embodiments where the flavored product is a beverage, the beverage can be selected from a fortified sparkling beverage, cola, lemon-lime sparkling beverage, orange sparkling beverage, grape sparkling beverage, strawberry sparkling beverage, pineapple sparkling beverage, ginger ale, root beer, fruit juice, fruit-flavored juice, fruit juice drink, nectar drink, vegetable juice, vegetable-flavored juice, sports drink, energy drink, fortified water beverage, vitamin-fortified water, near-water beverage, coconut water, tea beverage, coffee, cocoa beverage, milk component-containing beverage, cereal extract-containing beverage, and smoothie. In some embodiments, the beverage can be a soft drink.

[0108] The flavored product can be in any suitable physical form. For example, in some embodiments, the flavored composition can be in solid form, such as a powder. In further such embodiments, the flavored product is tooth powder, such as tooth powder for whitening teeth, removing stains (such as tobacco stains), etc. In some other embodiments, the flavored product can be a paste or slurry, such as toothpaste. In some other embodiments, the flavored product can be in the form of a cream or gel, such as a tooth gel, skin cream, or tooth cream. In some other embodiments, the flavored product can be, for example, a liquid suspension or solution having an aqueous carrier. In some embodiments, the flavored product can be in the form of an emulsion, such as a microemulsion or nanoemulsion, in which surfactants, emulsifiers, etc. can be present. In some embodiments, the flavored product is a personal care product, such as a product for application to the skin, face, lips, gums, oral cavity, etc. Such personal products can be used for any suitable purpose, such as skin whitening, teeth whitening, etc.

[0109] In some embodiments, the flavored product is an oral care product. By "oral care product" is meant a personal care product or other product that is not intended to be intentionally swallowed for the purpose of systemic administration of a particular therapeutic agent during normal use, but rather is retained in the oral cavity for a sufficient period of time to contact substantially all tooth surfaces and / or oral tissues for oral activities. Oral care compositions can be in a variety of forms, including toothpaste, dentifrice, dental gel, subgingival gel, mouthwash, mousse, foam, oral spray, lozenge, chewable tablet, chewing gum, or a denture product. Oral care compositions can also be incorporated into a strip or film for direct application or attachment to oral surfaces.

[0110] In some embodiments, the flavored product is a pharmaceutical product, such as a product designed to carry or deliver certain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Such APIs can be over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as acetaminophen, and other OTC cough and cold medications. In some embodiments, the API is a prescription-based drug.

[0111] In certain embodiments related to any form and embodiment of the flavored product set forth herein, the flavored product is a non-naturally occurring product, such as a packaged food or beverage product.

[0112] Other non-limiting examples of food and beverage products or formulations include sweet coatings, icings or glazes for such products, or any entity included in: soups, dry processed foods, beverages, ready-to-eat foods, canned or pickled foods, frozen processed foods, refrigerated processed foods, snack foods, baked goods, confectioneries, dairy products, ice cream, meal replacements, pasta and noodles, and sauces, seasonings, flavorings, baby foods, and / or spreads.

[0113] Generally, soups refer to canned / pickled, dehydrated, instant, refrigerated, UHT, and frozen soups. For the purposes of this definition, a soup is a food product made from meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, grains, fruits, and other ingredients, cooked in a liquid, which may contain visible pieces of some or all of these ingredients. It can be clear (as a broth) or thick (as a chowder), smooth, pureed, or chunky, ready-to-eat, semi-concentrated or concentrated, and can be served cold or hot, as a first course or main course or as a snack between meals (sipping beverage). Soups can be used as a base for preparing other meal components, ranging from a broth (consommé) to a sauce (cream- or cheese-based soup).

[0114] Dehydrated and cooked food products generally refer to: (i) cooking aids such as powdered, granular, paste, and concentrated liquid products, including concentrated broths (bouillon), broths, and pressed blocks, tablets, or powdered or granular broth-like products sold either as finished products or as ingredients in products, seasonings, and formulation mixtures (not related to technology); (ii) dietary solution products such as dehydrated and freeze-dried soups, including dehydrated soup mixtures, dehydrated instant soups, dehydrated ready-to-eat soups, dehydrated or self-heating preparations of ready-made dishes, meals, and single-serve main courses, including pasta, potatoes, and rice; (iii) dietary garnish products such as seasonings, marinades, salad dressings, salad toppings, dips, coating mixes, batter mixtures, shelf-stable sauces, barbecue sauces, liquid formulation mixtures, concentrates, sauce or sauce mixtures, including salad formulation mixtures, sold either as finished products or as ingredients in products, whether dehydrated, liquid, or frozen.

[0115] Beverage products generally refer to beverages, beverage mixtures, and concentrates, including but not limited to carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink beverages, liquid concentrate blends for preparing beverages (such as soda water), and dry beverage precursor mixtures. Beverage products also include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, sports drinks, isotonic drinks, and hot beverages. Alcoholic beverages include but are not limited to beer, cider / perry, FABs, wine, and spirits. Soft drinks include but are not limited to carbonated beverages such as cola and non-cola carbonated beverages; fruit juices such as fruit juice, nectar, fruit juice drinks, and fruit-flavored drinks; bottled water including soda water, spring water, and purified / table water; functional beverages, which can be carbonated or non-carbonated, including sports drinks, energy drinks, or elixir drinks; concentrates such as ready-to-drink liquid and powder concentrates. Whether hot or cold, it includes but is not limited to coffee or iced coffee such as fresh, instant, and blended coffee; tea or iced tea such as black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and flavored tea; and other beverages including flavored, malt-based, or plant-based powders, granules, blocks, or tablets mixed with milk or water.

[0116] Snack (or snack food) products generally refer to any food for a simple, informal meal, including but not limited to sweet and savory (salty, spicy, etc., non-sweet) snacks and snack bars. Examples of snacks include but are not limited to fruit snacks, potato chips / crisps, extruded snacks, tortilla chips / corn chips, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and other sweet and savory snacks. Examples of snack bars include but are not limited to granola / cereal bars, breakfast bars, energy bars, fruit bars, and other snack bars.

[0117] Baked food products generally refer to any edible products that involve exposure to heat or excessive sunlight during the preparation process. Examples of baked food products include, but are not limited to, bread, buns, cookies, muffins, cereals, toaster pastries, pastries, waffles, tortillas, crackers, pies, bagels, egg tarts, quiches, cakes, any baked food products and any combinations thereof. Other examples include, but are not limited to: packaged / industrial bread, bulk / artisanal bread, packaged / industrial cakes, bulk / artisanal cakes, cookies, chocolate-coated cookies, filled cookies, stuffed cookies, savory crackers and wafers, bread substitutes, breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat cereals, home breakfast cereals, corn flakes, muesli, other cereals, children's breakfast cereals, and hot cereals.

[0118] Ice cream products generally refer to frozen desserts that contain cream, sugar, and flavorings. Examples of ice cream products include, but are not limited to: impulse ice cream; family-sized ice cream; frozen yogurt and artisanal ice cream; ice cream based on soy, oats, legumes (e.g., red beans and mung beans), and rice. Further examples of ice cream products include, but are not limited to, single-serve dairy ice cream, single-serve water ice cream, multi-pack dairy ice cream, multi-pack water ice cream, family-sized dairy ice cream, ice cream desserts, bulk ice cream, and family-sized water ice cream.

[0119] Confectionery products generally refer to any edible products that taste sweet. Examples of confectionery products include, but are not limited to, hard candies, gelatin, chocolate candies, sugar confections, chewing gums, etc., and any combination products. Other examples include, but are not limited to: chocolate chips, chocolate bars (countlines), bagged chocolate bars (selflines) / soft bars (softlines), boxed assortments, standard boxed assortments, twist-wrapped mini chocolates, flavored chocolates, chocolates with toys, alfajores, other chocolate confections, mints, standard mints, strong mints, hard candies, soft lozenges, chewing gums, jelly candies, and chewing candies, toffees, caramels, and nougats, medicated candies, lollipops, licorice, other sugar confections.

[0120] Meal replacement food products generally refer to any food products that are designed to replace regular meals, especially for those who are concerned about their health or fitness. Examples of meal replacement products include, but are not limited to, weight loss products and rehabilitation products.

[0121] Ready-to-eat food products generally refer to any food products that can be eaten as a meal without extensive preparation or processing. Ready-to-eat food products include products for which the manufacturer has added recipe "skills", and thus have a high degree of ready-to-eat, completeness, and convenience. Examples of ready-to-eat food products include, but are not limited to, canned / pickled, frozen, dried, refrigerated ready-to-eat food products; dinner mixes; frozen pizzas; refrigerated pizzas; and pre-made salads.

[0122] Pasta and noodles include any pasta and / or noodles, including but not limited to canned, dried, and refrigerated / fresh pasta; and plain, instant, refrigerated, frozen, and snack noodles.

[0123] Canned / preserved foods include but are not limited to canned / preserved meats and meat products, fish / seafood, vegetables, tomatoes, beans, fruits, ready-to-eat foods, soups, pasta, and other canned / preserved foods.

[0124] Frozen processed foods include but are not limited to frozen processed red meat, processed poultry, processed fish / seafood, processed vegetables, meat substitutes, processed potatoes, baked products, desserts, ready-to-eat foods, pizza, soups, noodles, and other frozen foods.

[0125] Dry processed foods include but are not limited to rice, dessert mixes, dry ready-to-eat foods, dehydrated soups, instant soups, dry pasta, plain noodles, and instant noodles. Refrigerated processed foods include but are not limited to refrigerated processed meats, processed fish / seafood products, lunch boxes, fresh-cut fruits, ready-to-eat foods, pizza, pre-made salads, soups, fresh pasta, and noodles.

[0126] Sauces, seasonings, and condiments include but are not limited to tomato ketchup and puree, broth / soup cubes, herbs and spices, monosodium glutamate (MSG), table sauces, soy-based sauces, pasta sauces, wet / cooking sauces, dry sauce / powder mixtures, tomato paste, mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, balsamic vinaigrettes, dips, pickles, and other sauces, seasonings, and condiments.

[0127] Baby foods include but are not limited to milk- or soy-based formula; and ready-made, dried, and other baby foods.

[0128] Spreads include but are not limited to jams and jellies, honey, chocolate spreads, nut spreads, and yeast spreads.

[0129] Dairy products generally refer to edible products produced from the milk of mammals. Examples of dairy products include, but are not limited to, drinking milk products, cheeses, yogurts, and buttermilk beverages, as well as other dairy products. Further examples of dairy products include, but are not limited to, fresh / pasteurized milk, whole fresh / pasteurized milk, semi-skimmed fresh / pasteurized milk, long-life / UHT milk, whole long-life / UHT milk, semi-skimmed long-life / UHT milk, skimmed long-life / UHT milk, goat milk, condensed milk / evaporated milk, plain condensed milk / evaporated milk, flavored, functional, and other condensed milks, flavored milk beverages, dairy-only flavored milk drinks, flavored milk drinks with fruit juice, soy milk, fermented milk beverages, coffee creamers, milk powder, flavored milk powder drinks, cream, cheese, processed cheese, spreadable cheese, non-spreadable processed cheese, unprocessed cheese, spreadable unprocessed cheese, hard cheese, packaged hard cheese, unpackaged hard cheese, plain / natural yogurt, flavored yogurt, fruit yogurt, probiotic yogurt, drinking yogurt, regular drinking yogurt, and probiotic drinking yogurt.

[0130] In some embodiments, the flavored products include one or more candies, chocolate candies, chocolate chips, chocolate bars (countlines), bagged chocolate bars (selflines) / soft bars (softlines), boxed assortments, standard boxed assortments, twist-wrapped miniature chocolates, flavored chocolates, chocolates with toys, caramel milk filled cookies, other chocolate confections, mints, standard mints, strong mints, hard candies, lozenges, chewing gums, jelly candies and chewy candies, toffees, caramels and nougats, medicated candies, lollipops, licorice, other granulated sugar foods, breads, packaged / industrial breads, bulk / artisanal breads, pastries, cakes, packaged / industrial cakes, bulk / artisanal cakes, cookies, chocolate-coated cookies, sandwich cookies, filled cookies, savory crackers and wafers, bread substitutes, breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat cereals, family breakfast cereals, corn flakes, muesli, other cereals, children's breakfast cereals, hot cereals, ice creams, ready-to-eat ice creams, single-serve dairy ice creams, single-serve water ice creams, multi-pack dairy ice creams, multi-pack water ice creams, family-size ice creams, family-size dairy ice creams, ice cream desserts, bulk ice creams, family-size water ice creams, frozen yogurts, artisanal ice creams, dairy products, milk, fresh / pasteurized milk, whole fresh / pasteurized milk, semi-skimmed fresh / pasteurized milk, long-life / UHT milk, whole long-life / UHT milk, semi-skimmed long-life / UHT milk, skim long-life / UHT milk, goat's milk, condensed milk / evaporated milk, plain condensed milk / evaporated milk, flavored, functional and other condensed milks, flavored milk beverages, dairy-only flavored milk drinks, flavored milk drinks with fruit juice, soy milk, yogurt drinks, fermented milk drinks, coffee creamers, milk powders, flavored milk powder drinks, creams, cheeses, processed cheeses, spreadable cheeses, non-spreadable processed cheeses, unprocessed cheeses, spreadable unprocessed cheeses, hard cheeses, packaged hard cheeses, unpackaged hard cheeses, yogurts, plain / natural yogurts, flavored yogurts, fruit yogurts, probiotic yogurts, drinking yogurts, regular drinking yogurts, probiotic drinking yogurts, frozen and shelf-stable snacks, dairy-based snacks, soy-based desserts, frozen snacks, fresh cheeses and quark cheeses, plain fresh cheeses and quark cheeses, flavored fresh cheeses and quark cheeses, savory fresh cheeses and quark cheeses, sweet and savory snacks, fruit snacks, potato chips / crisps, extruded snack foods, tortilla chips / corn chips, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, other sweet and savory snacks, snack bars, granola bars, breakfast bars, energy bars, fruit bars, other snack bars, meal replacements, weight loss products, recovery drinks, ready-to-eat foods, canned ready-to-eat foods, frozen ready-to-eat foods, dried ready-to-eat foods, frozen ready-to-eat meals, dinner mixes, frozen pizzas, refrigerated pizzas, soups, canned soups, dehydrated soups, instant soups, cold soups, hot soups, frozen soups, pastas, canned pastas, dried pastas, frozen / fresh pastas, noodles, plain noodles, instant noodles, cup / bowl instant noodles, bagged instant noodlesFrozen noodles, snack noodles, canned foods, canned meat and meat products, canned fish / seafood, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, canned beans, canned fruits, canned ready-to-eat foods, canned soups, canned pasta, other canned foods, frozen foods, frozen processed red meat, frozen processed poultry, frozen processed fish / seafood, frozen processed vegetables, frozen meat substitutes, frozen potatoes, oven-baked potato chips, other oven-baked potato products, non-oven frozen potatoes, frozen baked goods, frozen desserts, frozen ready-to-eat foods, frozen pizzas, frozen soups, frozen noodles, other frozen foods, dried foods, dessert mixes, dried ready-to-eat foods, dehydrated soups, instant soups, dried pasta, plain noodles, instant noodles, cup / bowl instant noodles, bagged instant noodles, refrigerated foods, refrigerated processed meat, refrigerated fish / seafood products, refrigerated processed fish, refrigerated coated fish, refrigerated smoked fish, refrigerated lunch packs, refrigerated ready-to-eat foods, refrigerated pizzas, refrigerated soups, refrigerated / fresh pasta, refrigerated noodles, oils and fats, olive oil, vegetable and seed oils, cooking fats, butter, margarine, spread oils and fats, functional spread oils and fats, sauces, seasonings and condiments, tomato paste and puree, broth / soup cubes, soup cubes, gravy granules, liquid soup bases and ingredients, herbs and spices, fermented sauces, soy-based sauces, pasta sauces, wet sauces, dry sauce / powder mixtures, ketchup, mayonnaise, regular mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, regular salad dressings, low-fat salad dressings, balsamic vinaigrettes, dips, pickles, other sauces, seasonings and condiments, baby foods, formula milk, standard formula milk, growing formula milk, toddler formula milk, hypoallergenic formula milk, prepared baby foods, dried baby foods, other baby foods, spreads, jams and preserves, honey, chocolate spreads, nut spreads and yeast spreads.、

[0131] Some embodiments provide chewable compositions that can be swallowed or not swallowed. In some embodiments, the chewable composition can be gummy candies, chewing gums, sugar-free gummy candies, functional gummy candies, bubble gums, which individually or in combination contain the compounds disclosed and described herein.

[0132] The compositions, methods, and products according to the present disclosure will be further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0133] Examples

[0134] Unless otherwise specified, the compositions of the present invention are prepared as follows: At room temperature (22 °C), ethyl lactate is mixed with one or more solvents using a mechanical stirrer to obtain a clear single-phase liquid. Then, pure solid natural sweetener or a blend of multiple solid natural sweeteners is added to the clear solvent mixture and mechanically stirred. Mechanical stirring is continued until the natural sweetener is observed to be completely dissolved at room temperature. The comparative compositions are prepared in a similar manner. The tables in the following examples summarize the components used in the present invention and the comparative compositions.

[0135] Example 1

[0136] Prepare the comparative compositions and the compositions of the present invention according to Table 1 below. The change in the solubility of the sweetener active ingredient (RebA) over time is evaluated visually. At the same time, the change in the stability (transparency of the solution) of the concentrated solution over time at room temperature (22 °C) is evaluated visually.

[0137] Table 1.

[0138] Comparative example C1 Comparative example C2 Example 1 wt% wt% wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 51.08 <![CDATA[1,2 - propanediol 2) > 51.08 <![CDATA[Glycerol 3) > 51.08 <![CDATA[Water 4) > 43.52 43.52 43.52 <![CDATA[Reb A(99.5%) 5) > 5.4 5.4 5.4 Appearance of solution Clouding Clouding Clear

[0139] 1) Ethyl lactate (source: Firmenich)

[0140] 2) 1,2 - Propylene glycol (source: Carlo Erba)

[0141] 3) Glycerol 99.5% (source: Alfa Aesar)

[0142] 4) Deionized water

[0143] 5) Steviol glycoside Rebaudioside A 99.5% (source: Firmenich)

[0144] Three different binary solvent mixtures were prepared: 1,2 - propylene glycol / water, glycerol / water, and ethyl lactate / water, where the weight ratio to water was maintained at 54 / 46. 5.4 wt% of Reb A (99.5%) was dispersed in the binary mixture containing ethyl lactate. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredient was completely dissolved and a clear solution was formed. The same amount of Reb A (99.5%) in the mixture containing 1,2 - propylene glycol or glycerol resulted in incomplete dissolution of the active ingredient and the formation of some cloudy and unstable suspensions. This example clearly demonstrates the advantage of using ethyl lactate as a solvent to obtain a clear concentrated solution of natural sweetener.

[0145] Example 2

[0146] Prepare the compositions of the present invention according to Table 2 below.

[0147] Table 2.

[0148] Example 2 wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 46.5 <![CDATA[Glycerol 2) > 46.5 <![CDATA[Reb A(99.5%) 3) > 7.0

[0149] 1) Ethyl lactate (Source: Firmenich)

[0150] 2) Glycerol 99.5% (Source: Alfa Aesar)

[0151] 3) Steviol glycoside Rebaudioside A 99.5% (Source: Firmenich)

[0152] In the above example, a binary solvent mixture containing ethyl lactate and glycerol (weight ratio 50 / 50) was prepared. 7 wt% of Reb A (99.5%) was dispersed in this binary solvent mixture. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredient completely dissolved and a clear solution was formed. The same amount of Reb A (99.5%) in pure glycerol or pure ethyl lactate would result in incomplete dissolution of the active substance and produce some cloudy and unstable suspensions because the solubility limit of Reb A (99.5%) in the pure solvents was exceeded (estimated to be about 2 wt% in glycerol and <0.3% in ethyl lactate).

[0153] Example 3

[0154] The composition of the present invention was prepared according to Table 3 below.

[0155] Table 3.

[0156] Example 3 wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 30.0 <![CDATA[Glycerol 2) > 45.0 <![CDATA[Reb B(95%) 3) > 25.0

[0157] 1) Ethyl lactate (Source: Firmenich)

[0158] 2) Glycerol 99.5% (Source: Alfa Aesar)

[0159] 3) Steviol glycoside Rebaudioside B 95% (Source: Firmenich)

[0160] In the above example, a binary solvent mixture containing ethyl lactate and glycerol (weight ratio 40 / 60) was prepared. 25 wt% of Reb B (95%) was dispersed in this binary solvent mixture. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredient completely dissolved and a clear solution was formed. The same amount of Reb B (95%) in pure glycerol or pure ethyl lactate would result in incomplete dissolution of the active substance and form some cloudy and unstable suspensions because the solubility limit of Reb B (95%) in the pure solvents was exceeded (estimated to be about 16 wt% in glycerol and less than 1% in ethyl lactate).

[0161] Example 4

[0162] Prepare the composition of the present invention according to Table 4 below.

[0163] Table 4.

[0164] Example 4 wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 36.0 <![CDATA[Glycerol 2) > 54.0 <![CDATA[Reb M(95%) 3) > 10.0

[0165] 1) Ethyl lactate (source: Firmenich)

[0166] 2) Glycerol 99.5% (source: Alfa Aesar)

[0167] 3) Steviol glycoside Rebaudioside M 95% (source: Firmenich)

[0168] In the above example, a binary solvent mixture containing ethyl lactate and glycerol (weight ratio 40 / 60) was prepared. 10 wt% of Reb M (95%) was dispersed in this binary solvent mixture. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredient was completely dissolved and a clear solution was formed. The same amount of Reb M (95%) in pure glycerol or pure ethyl lactate would result in incomplete dissolution of the active substance and the formation of some cloudy and unstable suspensions because the solubility limit of Reb M (95%) in the pure solvents had been exceeded (estimated to be about 9 wt% in glycerol and less than 0.7% in ethyl lactate).

[0169] Example 5

[0170] Prepare the composition of the present invention according to Table 5 below.

[0171] Table 5.

[0172] Example 5 wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 45.5 <![CDATA[Glycerol 2) > 45.5 <![CDATA[Reb A(50%) 3) > 9.0

[0173] 4) Ethyl lactate (source: Firmenich)

[0174] 5) Glycerol 99.5% (source: Alfa Aesar)

[0175] 6) Steviol glycoside Rebaudioside A 50% (source: Firmenich)

[0176] In the above example, a binary solvent mixture containing ethyl lactate and glycerol (weight ratio 50 / 50) was prepared. 9 wt% of Reb A (50%) was dispersed in this binary solvent mixture. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredient was completely dissolved and a clear solution was formed.

[0177] Example 6

[0178] Prepare the composition of the present invention according to Table 6 below.

[0179] Table 6.

[0180] Example 6 wt% <![CDATA[Ethyl lactate 1) > 30 <![CDATA[Glycerol 2) > 30 <![CDATA[Mogroside 3) > 40

[0181] 7) Ethyl lactate (Source: Firmenich)

[0182] 8) Glycerol 99.5% (Source: Alfa Aesar)

[0183] 9) Momordica grosvenori extract (MOV 50%) (Source: Firmenich)

[0184] In the above embodiments, a binary solvent mixture containing ethyl lactate and glycerol (weight ratio 50 / 50) was prepared. 40% by weight of Momordica grosvenori extract (MOV 50%) was dispersed in this binary solvent mixture. After several hours at room temperature (22 °C), the active ingredients were completely dissolved and the solution was clear and transparent.

[0185] The disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to the specific details of particular embodiments. These details should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter unless such details are included in the appended claims.

[0186] Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments described herein are well-suited to achieving the stated objects and advantages and those inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative, as the exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art benefiting from the teachings herein. Additionally, the details of the construction or design shown herein have no limitation other than as set forth in the following claims. Thus, it is evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified, and all such variations are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments described herein. The exemplary embodiments illustratively disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of any element not specifically disclosed herein and / or any optional element disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A composition, comprising: a) A natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof; b) at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate; and c) One or more food-grade co-solvents.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the one or more food-grade co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Hansen solubility parameter δ of the one or more food-grade co-solvents p and δ h are each higher than the δ 1-6 of the at least one C p linear or branched alkyl lactate h .

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the natural sweetener is present in an amount of 1% to 50% by weight, typically 4% to 40% by weight, more typically 5% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the natural sweetener comprises one or more steviol glycosides, typically one or more rebaudiosides selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside O, rebaudioside M, and any combination thereof.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the natural sweetener comprises one or more mogrosides selected from the group consisting of: mogroside III, mogroside IV, mogroside V, esgoside, isomogroside V, mogroside IV E , isomogroside V, mogroside III E , 11-oxomogroside V, the α-isomer of isomogroside V, neomogroside, and any combination thereof.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of the at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate is present in an amount of from 5% to 95% by weight, typically from 20% to 80% by weight, more typically from 25% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

8. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate is ethyl lactate.

9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the composition is transparent and stable at ambient temperature, typically at a temperature of less than or equal to 25°C, for a period of time, typically for several hours, more typically for several days, and even more typically for several weeks.

10. A method for preparing a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: a’) Mix at least one C 1-6 linear or branched alkyl lactate with one or more food-grade co-solvents; b’) Adding a natural sweetener selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, mogrosides, and any mixture thereof to the mixture obtained in step a’; and c) Mixing the combination obtained in step b’ to form the composition. The method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more food-grade co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol.

12. A flavored product, comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a composition prepared by the method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The flavored product according to claim 12, wherein the composition is present in an amount of 0.001% to 5% by weight, typically 0.01% to 1% by weight, more typically 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the flavored product.

14. The flavored product according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the flavored product is a food product, a beverage product, an oral care product, or a pharmaceutical product.

15. The flavored product according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the flavored product further comprises a cooling compound, a cooling enhancing compound, a sweetener other than steviol glycosides or mogrosides, or a combination thereof.

16. The flavored product according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the flavored product further comprises one or more food additives selected from the group consisting of acids, bitter components, colorants, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, functional ingredients, buffers, flavoring agents, starches, stabilizers, and any combination thereof.