Sweetener Composition Reducing Lingering Aftertaste via Receptor Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing sweet lingering caused by high-intensity sweeteners are inadequate and often rely on masking effects, leading to taste deterioration or inadequate flavor profiles.

Innovation Solution

A method involving high-intensity sweeteners binding to specific sites on taste receptors and membrane transporter proteins, combined with complementary sweeteners binding to different sites, to reduce sweet lingering without relying on masking effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high-intensity sweeteners are used to achieve high sweetness with low calorie, then sweetness intensity is improved, but sweet lingering duration increases causing uncomfortable taste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweetness intensityVSAvoidsweet lingering duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the sweetener system into two distinct components: a high-intensity sweetener (for immediate intense sweetness) and a sweetness modifier (to modulate the temporal profile). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the high-intensity sweetener provides the calorie-free sweetness boost while the sweetness modifier controls the lingering duration, resolving the contradiction between intensity and duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temporal parameters of sweetness perception by introducing a sweetness modifier that alters the kinetics of sweetness perception. The modifier adjusts the rise time, peak intensity, and decay rate of the sweetness signal, effectively reducing the lingering duration parameter while maintaining the high intensity characteristic of low-calorie sweeteners

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If sweetness modifiers are used to reduce sweet lingering, then lingering duration is reduced, but taste quality deteriorates due to masking effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweet lingering durationVSAvoidtaste quality deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sweetness modifier acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high-intensity sweetener and the taste receptors. Rather than directly masking the sweetener's taste, the modifier interacts with the sweetener or the receptor complex to modulate the temporal profile of sweetness perception. This intermediary role allows the modifier to control lingering duration without compromising the authentic taste quality of the high-intensity sweetener

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively reduces sweet lingering by altering the binding sites of sweeteners, providing a more comfortable taste experience without compromising flavor quality.

Implementation Method 1

the high-intensity sweetener binds to the site A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBinding:

Implementation Method 2

the compound for reducing a sweet lingering binds to at least one site selected from the group consisting of B, C and D

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBinding:

Data Source

PatentEP3607833B1Method for reducing lingering sweet aftertaste
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 SUNTORY HLDG LTD
  • EP3607833B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a method for reducing a sweet lingering produced by a high sweetness sweetener and a composition to be used in the method. According to the present invention, the sweet lingering of a high sweetness sweetener can be reduced. According to the present invention, moreover, a composition for reducing the sweet lingering of a high sweetness sweetener and a food or beverage in which the sweet lingering of a high sweetness sweetener is reduced are provided.