Sweetness Enhancer Composition for Low-Calorie Food Formulations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating low-calorie diabetic foods with reduced natural sweetener levels that maintain the same sweetness characteristics as regular products is challenging due to the bitter/metallic aftertastes of artificial sweeteners and variability in sweetness delivery.

Innovation Solution

The use of 3-(4-amino-2,2-dioxide-1H-benzo[c][1,2,6]thiadiazin-5-yloxy)-2',2'-dimethyl-N-propylpropanamide as a sweetness enhancer, which is incorporated into solid or liquid compositions through methods like spray drying, precipitation, or spin band entrapment, to enhance the perceived sweetness of low-calorie sweeteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and acesulfame potassium are used to replace natural sweeteners, then calorie content is reduced, but bitter and metallic aftertastes occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalorie contentVSAvoidbitter and metallic aftertastes
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (flavor masking agent or sweetness enhancer) that mediates between the artificial sweetener and the consumer's taste perception. This intermediary masks the bitter/metallic aftertaste while preserving the sweetening effect, allowing calorie reduction without sacrificing taste quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite sweetening system combining artificial sweeteners with flavor masking agents or sweetness enhancers. This composite approach leverages the high-intensity sweetening property of artificial sweeteners while using the complementary properties of the added substances to mask undesirable aftertastes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high intensity sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame are used, then sweetness level similar to sugar is achieved without bitter or metallic aftertastes, but sweetness delivery problems occur with different rates and time periods for onset and linger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebitter or metallic aftertastesVSAvoidsweetness delivery profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the sweetness delivery profile through controlled release mechanisms or combinations of sweeteners with different temporal characteristics. This allows optimization of onset speed and linger duration to match consumer expectations for natural sugar-like sweetness delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies parameters of the sweetness delivery system by changing concentrations, combinations of sweeteners, or physical forms to achieve desired onset and linger characteristics. This involves tuning the temporal parameters of sweetness perception to match natural sugar profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sweetness enhancers with high potency are used, then perceived sweetness is enhanced, but precise and uniform mixing becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperceived sweetness enhancementVSAvoidmixing uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sweetness enhancer into pre-measured units or incorporates it into a carrier matrix that ensures uniform distribution. This segmentation approach prevents clumping and ensures consistent dosing across the entire product batch, addressing the mixing uniformity challenge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a carrier or diluent as an intermediary substance to facilitate uniform distribution of the high-potency sweetness enhancer. This intermediary acts as a buffer that makes the potent substance easier to handle and distribute evenly throughout the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of energy

If sweetness enhancers with low solubility are used, then formulation of reduced/low calorie foods is enabled, but special processing methods are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalorie reductionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes physical or chemical parameters of the low-solubility sweetness enhancer through modification of pH, temperature, or molecular structure to improve solubility. This parameter adjustment reduces the need for special processing methods while maintaining calorie reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite formulations combining the low-solubility sweetness enhancer with solubility-enhancing agents or compatible carriers. This composite approach improves dissolution characteristics without sacrificing the calorie-reducing sweetening effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach allows for the reduction of natural sweetener levels while maintaining or enhancing sweetness profiles, improving the 'sweetness delivery profile' by shortening sweetness onset and lingering periods, and ensuring uniform distribution in food products.

Implementation Method 1

3-(4-amino-2,2-dioxide-1H-benzo[c][1,2,6]thiadiazin-5-yloxy)-2',2'-dimethyl-N-propylpropanamide, or salts and/or solvates thereof... serve as sweet taste modifiers, sweet flavoring agents, or sweet flavor enhancers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTaste receptor interaction:

Implementation Method 2

incorporated into solid or liquid compositions through methods like spray drying, precipitation, or spin band entrapment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray drying:

Implementation Method 3

incorporated into solid or liquid compositions through methods like spray drying, precipitation, or spin band entrapment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP2328426B1Compositions comrpising sweetness enhancers and methods of making them
Publication Date: 2014.10.01 SENOMYX INC
  • EP2328426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2328426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2328426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides solid and liquid compositions comprising 5-(neopentyloxy)-1H-benzo[c][1,2,6]thiadiazin-4-amino-2,2-dioxide or 3-(4-amino-2,2-dioxide-1H-benzo[c][1,2,6]thiadiazin-5-yloxy)-2',2'-dimethyl-N-propylpropanamide, and methods of making the compositions by spray drying and spin melting. The present invention also provides ingestible compositions comprising compositions of the present invention and methods of making such foods.