The solution to masking bitterness, astringency and other off-notes is not usually found in a single molecule or ingredient, but in an entire toolbox of ingredients that work together to mask off-notes and enhance flavor, according to Sensient Flavors (Hoffman Estates, IL), which introduced this solution in its proprietary, all-natural Smoothenol 2G line of ingredients.
Smoothenol 2G is designed to enhance the palatability of food, beverage and health products by masking undesirable off-notes commonly associated with sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol, vitamins and minerals, nutraceutical and functional ingredients, reported Sensient, noting that by modifying the sensory perception of these ingredients, Smoothenol 2G essentially eliminates potential aftertaste in a product, meeting the industry need for a masking solution that optimizes taste and is flexible enough to meet specific formulary needs of the finished product, without compromising performance or resorting to artificial additives.
Sensient scientists created Smoothenol 2G with the latest developments in flavor chemistry in mind, offering a sophisticated masking technology that mirrors the emerging science surrounding taste receptors, according to the company. Smoothenol 2G allows formulators to develop complex masking systems capable of blocking with multiple receptor sites, and inhibiting the transmission of a signal to the brain.
David Bom, technology development manager, Sensient Flavors, said the Smoothenol 2G line was developed using advanced knowledge of receptors and ligand design, offering formulators the flexibility of customizing the optimal masking solution while simultaneously maintaining an all-natural label. “Yesterday’s masking technologies were based on a single-compound approach that we now know is at odds with the reality of taste receptors,” said Bom.
U.S. and EU compliant, the GMO-free proprietary technology system, Smoothenol 2G works by modifying the consumer sensory perception and essentially eliminating off-notes all without artificial ingredients, reported the company, noting tt provides formulators with an effective solution to issues ranging from chalkiness to bitterness to astringency to alcohol burn, along with other negative taste attributes found in nutritionally enhanced or artificially sweetened foods and beverages.
The Smoothenol 2G portfolio includes ingredients that are formulated to be used in concert to achieve optimal taste and are tailored by Sensient scientists to meet the specific needs of individual applications, including:
- BitterFix – Masks the wide variety of negative flavors associated with natural and artificial sweeteners
- AstringentFix – Smooths the dry mouthf eel caused by tannins in fruit, tea and red wine
- FunctionalFix – Reduces metallic off-notes caused by added proteins, omega 3s, vitamins and minerals
- BurnFix – Masks the perception of alcohol burn in spirits
- SourFix – Softens sour notes associated with citric acid and acidulants in lemonade and citrus-flavored drinks
The addition of Smoothenol 2G provides manufacturers with a multi-pronged, positive effect that centers around enhancing the taste of the finished product, reported the company.
For more information, visit www.sensientflavors.com.
