Masking Composition for Non-Animal Protein Off-Notes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-animal derived proteins in food products often exhibit unpleasant off-notes such as beany, bitter, fishy, or earthy flavors, which deter consumer acceptance due to their inherent taste profiles.

Innovation Solution

A masking composition comprising off-note blocking compounds like pea or rice peptides, 1,3-propandiol, ethyl cyclohexanoate, green coffee extract, and molasses distillates, combined with masking agents like fatty acids, sulfur compounds, sweet browns, esters, and lactones, is used to suppress or reduce these off-notes, thereby improving the flavor profile of non-animal derived protein-containing consumables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-animal derived proteins are used in food products, then health benefits and dietary protein content are improved, but unpleasant off-notes such as beany, bitter, fishy, or earthy flavors are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth benefitsVSAvoidoff-notes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces off-note blocking compounds as intermediary substances that specifically bind to and neutralize the harmful off-note compounds generated by non-animal proteins. These blocking compounds act as mediators between the protein and the consumer's taste receptors, preventing the off-notes from being perceived while maintaining the protein's nutritional value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful off-note compounds into beneficial effects by using masking agents that transform the unpleasant flavor profile into desirable taste characteristics. The masking agents chemically interact with the off-note compounds to produce new compounds with pleasant flavors, effectively turning the harmful sensory attribute into a benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If masking agents are added to reduce off-notes, then flavor profile is improved, but product complexity and formulation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-notesVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite masking compositions that combine multiple masking agents and off-note blocking compounds in specific ratios and formulations. These pre-developed composite formulations integrate various functional components (blocking compounds, masking agents, and carriers) into unified packages that can be directly added to food products, simplifying the formulation process while maintaining effective off-note suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple masking agents and off-note blocking compounds are combined, then masking effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-notesVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration levels and ratios of different masking agents and blocking compounds to achieve the most effective masking at the lowest possible cost. By carefully adjusting these parameters (concentrations, ratios, and combinations), the formulation achieves maximum off-note suppression while minimizing the quantity of expensive additives required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230371567A1Compositions and methods for masking off-notes in consumables
Publication Date: 2023.11.23 GIVAUDAN SA

AI summary

A masking composition for masking non-animal derived protein off-notes is provided. The masking composition includes one or more off-note blocking compounds; and one or more masking agents.