Yeast Extract Flavoring Process via Controlled Maillard Reaction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing meat flavorings in food products are either synthetic, lacking natural authenticity or use chemically derived ingredients, resulting in undesirable flavors and smells.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a reaction mixture of yeast extract, glycosylamine, thiol-containing compounds, and acid, heated within a specific temperature range to produce a natural meaty flavor without the need for chemically processed reducing sugars, ensuring the flavor meets consumer and regulatory standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If synthetic methods using Maillard and Strecker reactions are used to produce meat flavourings, then the flavour production efficiency is improved, but the natural authenticity of the flavouring deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavour production efficiencyVSAvoidnatural authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters by using naturally occurring reducing sugars instead of chemically synthesized ones, and controls pH and temperature parameters to enable natural Maillard reactions that produce authentic meat flavours without synthetic intermediates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows yeast extract to naturally contain and provide the necessary reducing sugars through its own composition, eliminating the need for external chemical additives and enabling self-sufficient natural flavour development

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If chemically derived ingredients such as pure xylose and dextrin are added to produce meat flavouring, then the flavour intensity is improved, but the natural authenticity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavour intensityVSAvoidnatural authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes the reducing sugars already present within the yeast extract itself, removing the need to add external chemically derived sugars like xylose and dextrin, thereby maintaining natural authenticity while achieving sufficient flavour intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The yeast extract serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the protein substrate for Maillard reactions, supplies reducing sugars naturally present within its composition, and acts as the final flavour carrier, eliminating the need for separate sugar additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If heat mediated Maillard based seasonings are produced without proline source, then the production process is simplified, but undesirable steamed or burnt smells are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process complexityVSAvoidundesirable smells
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces proline-containing yeast extract as an intermediary substance that mediates the Maillard reaction process, enabling complete reaction pathways that produce desirable meat flavours while preventing the formation of undesirable steamed or burnt smell compounds

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

The process efficiently converts thiol-containing compounds and glycosylamine to create a meaty flavor without off-flavors, meeting consumer demands for natural ingredients and regulatory compliance.

Implementation Method 1

Typically, meat flavourings are of synthetic origin, prepared via Maillard and Strecker reactions involving sulphur-containing amino acids and sugars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaillard reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

heating the reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of 90-160° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20220256899A1Process for the preparation of a flavouring
Publication Date: 2022.08.18 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a flavouring, comprising the steps of (i) providing a reaction mixture comprising yeast extract comprising at least 0.5 wt. %, by weight of dry matter of yeast extract, glycosylamine and/or derivatives thereof and at least 1.0 wt. %, by weight of dry yeast extract, thiol containing compounds; at least 2 wt. %, by weight of the reaction mixture, acid; at least 10 wt. %, by weight of the reaction mixture, water; (ii) heating the reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of 90-160° C.; wherein the heated reaction mixture has an acidity such that a 1 wt. % dilution in demineralised water has a pH of in the range of 3.5 and 6 at 20° C. and (ii) optionally drying the product.