Patent Application
20230165283
This invention relates to food ingredients obtained from Stevia rebaudiana plants, and their use in food products, beverages, and other consumables.
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a perennial shrub of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family native to certain regions of South America. The leaves of the plant contain from 10 to 20% of diterpene glycosides, which are around 150 to 450 times sweeter than sugar. The leaves have been traditionally used for hundreds of years in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten local teas and medicines.
At present, there are more than 230 Stevia species with significant sweetening properties. The plant has been successfully grown under a wide range of conditions from its native subtropics to the cold northern latitudes.
The extract of Stevia rebaudiana plant contains a mixture of different sweet diterpene glycosides, which have a single base—steviol—and differ by the presence of carbohydrate residues at positions C13 and C19. These glycosides accumulate in Stevia leaves and compose approximately 10%-20% of the total dry weight.
Steviol glycosides have zero calories and can be used wherever sugar is used. They are ideal for diabetic and low-calorie diets.
It is noted that in the process of manufacture steviol glycoside sweeteners, large amounts of other constituents of the Stevia plant are also extracted with water. These other constituents are mainly separated during downstream processing and discarded. It is therefore advantageous to isolate, identify and utilize other constituents from the Stevia plant to optimize operational efficiency.
In WIPO publication number WO2018102447A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, a process for producing food ingredients from Stevia rebaudiana plants and their use in food and beverage products is discussed. Among the food ingredients described are chlorogenic acids and their derivatives that naturally occur in the plant. These include, but are not limited to: neo-chlorogenic acid (neo-CGA; 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 5-CQA), crypto-chlorogenic acid (crypto-CGA; 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 4-CQA), n-chlorogenic acid (n-CGA; 3-O-caffeoyl quinic acid or 3-CQA), iso-chlorogenic acid A (iso-CGA A; 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) iso-chlorogenic acid B (iso-CGA B; 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid), iso-chlorogenic acid C (iso-CGA C; 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid), and combinations thereof. Other ingredients described include, but are not limited to, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds.
The present invention is directed to the use of extracts of Stevia rebaudiana leaves and other parts of the plant, such extracts comprising chlorogenic acids and steviol glycosides obtained or derived from the Stevia plant, collectively referred to as “natural flavor complex” or “NFC,” as a flavoring with modifying properties (“FMP”) for food, beverages, and other consumable applications.
It was unexpectedly discovered that Stevia-derived natural flavor complexes provide desirable flavor modification without imparting (e.g. adding) detectable sweetness to a consumable.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
Those of skill in the art will also recognize that one or more of the process steps described below may be omitted. Those experienced in the art will also understand that although the process described below assumes certain order of the described steps, this order can be altered in some cases.
The flavor modifying properties of Stevia-derived flavor complexes were evaluated using the protocol set forth by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA) Science Committee's Sensory Guidance Document, November 2013, (“FEMA Guidance”). Test 1 as described in the Guidance Document “is used to demonstrate that the FMP does not have an inherent sweetness or saltiness under conditions of intended use as an FMP in the finished food product.” (FEMA Guidance at page 2).
It was unexpectedly discovered that the natural flavor complex obtained from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant has FMP properties without imparting (e.g. adding) an inherent or detectable sweetness to the consumable product.
Composition of Stevia-Derived Natural Flavor Complex (NFC)
In an embodiment, the Stevia-derived NFC comprises at least one molecule obtained from a Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant, selected from phenolic compounds, polyphenols, flavonoids, quinic and caffeic acids and their derivatives, neo-chlorogenic acid (neo-CGA; 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 5-CQA), crypto-chlorogenic acid (crypto-CGA; 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 4-CQA), n-chlorogenic acid (n-CGA; 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 3-CQA), iso-chlorogenic acid A (iso-CGA A; 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) iso-chlorogenic acid B (iso-CGA B; 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid), iso-chlorogenic acid C (iso-CGA C; 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid), other chlorogenic acids and iso-chlorogenic acids known to art, retinoids, pigments, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, volatile oil components, sterols, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenes, triterpenes, coumarins, fatty acids and their derivatives, amino acids and their derivatives, dipeptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, austroinulin, quercetin, sterebins, spathulenol, decanoic acid, 8,11,14-ecosatrienoic acid, 2-methyloctadecane, pentacosane, octacosane, stigmasterol, bsitosterol, a- and b-amyrine, Iupeol, b-amyrin acetate, pentacyclic triterpene and/or glycosides thereof, steviol glycosides, and combinations thereof.
As used herein, the term “chlorogenic acid” or “CGA” shall mean any one or more of neo-chlorogenic acid (neo-CGA; 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 5-CQA), crypto-chlorogenic acid (crypto-CGA; 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 4-CQA), n-chlorogenic acid (n-CGA; 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 3-CQA), iso-chlorogenic acid A (iso-CGA A; 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) iso-chlorogenic acid B (iso-CGA B; 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid), iso-chlorogenic acid C (iso-CGA C; 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid), other chlorogenic acids and iso-chlorogenic acids known to the art.
In one embodiment, the NFC comprises at least a chlorogenic acid and a steviol glycoside extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant. Typically, on a dry weight basis, the four major glycosides found in the leaves of Stevia are Dulcoside A (0.3%), Rebaudioside C (0.6-1.0%), Rebaudioside A (3.8%) and Stevioside (9.1%). Other glycosides identified in Stevia extract include Rebaudiosides B, C, D, E, F, M, AM, N, and O, Steviolbioside, Rubusoside, Stevioside, and minor steviol glycosides. Table 3 identifies additional steviol glycosides.
In a particular embodiment, the chlorogenic acid is present in the natural flavor complex at a level of at least about 15% by weight, and total steviol glycosides are present at a level of about 20% or less by weight. In another embodiment, the chlorogenic acid is present in the natural flavor complex at a level ranging from about 15% to about 40% by weight, and total steviol glycosides are present in the natural flavor complex in an amount ranging from about 0% to about 20% by weight. In another embodiment, the chlorogenic acid is present in the natural flavor complex at a level ranging from about 15% to about 40% by weight, and total steviol glycosides are present in the natural flavor complex in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to about 20% by weight. In another embodiment, the chlorogenic acid is present in the natural flavor complex at a level ranging from about 10% to about 50% by weight, and total steviol glycosides are present in the natural flavor complex in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to about 25% by weight. In another embodiment, the chlorogenic acid is present in the natural flavor complex at a level ranging from about 1% to about 80% by weight, and total steviol glycosides are present in the natural flavor complex in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to about 25% by weight.
In certain embodiments, the natural flavor complex comprises at least a chlorogenic acid, a flavonoid compound, and a steviol glycoside, all extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant.
In another embodiment, the stevia extract FMP comprises at least a chlorogenic acid, a steviol glycoside, and at least one molecule selected from Tricaffeoylquinic acids; Rutin; Feruloyl-caffeoylquinc acids; Caffeoyl-feruloylquinic acids; Quercetin-glycoside; Galuteolin; Quercitrin; Roseoside; Feruloylquinic acids; Coumaroylquinic acids; Caffeoylshikimic acids; Caffeoylshikimic acids; 5-Caffeoylshikimic acid; Catechin; Luteolin; Trans-ferulic acid; and combinations thereof.
In yet another embodiment, the stevia extract FMP comprises at least a chlorogenic acid, a steviol glycoside, and at least one molecule selected from flavonoids, retinoids, pigments, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, volatile oil components, sterols, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenes, triterpenes, coumarins, fatty acids and their derivatives, amino acids and their derivatives, dipeptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, austroinulin, quercetin, sterebins, spathulenol, decanoic acid, 8,11,14-ecosatrienoic acid, 2-methyloctadecane, pentacosane, octacosane, stigmasterol, bsitosterol, a- and b-amyrine, Iupeol, b-amyrin acetate, pentacyclic triterpene and glycosides thereof, and combinations thereof.
The natural flavor complex was obtained by the methods described in WO2018102447A2. The NFC obtained can be used in any consumable product as a flavoring with modifying properties, without imparting (e.g. adding) detectable sweetness to the consumable product. The NFC can be added to the consumable product in an amount ranging from 25 ppm to 1500 ppm, or even higher levels as long as the level is at or below the sweetness detection threshold in the particular consumable product.
In an embodiment, the flavor of the consumable product is modified by reducing bitterness or astringency or sweet aftertaste or bitter aftertaste perception of the consumable product as compared to a control product that does not contain the stevia extract FMP.
In another embodiment, the flavor of the consumable product is modified by enhancing one or more flavor notes as compared to a control product that does not contain the stevia extract FMP.
In another embodiment, the flavor of the consumable product is modified by suppressing one or more flavor notes as compared to a control product that does not contain the stevia extract FMP.
Table 1 summarizes certain chlorogenic acid and steviol glycoside constituents of natural flavor complexes obtained Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves.
Table 2 summarizes certain chlorogenic acid and steviol glycoside constituents of natural flavor complexes obtained from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. “TCGA” refers to total chlorogenic acid content, and “TSG” refers to total steviol glycoside content.
Additional steviol glycosides are provided in Table 3.
In the following Examples, Sample 7, having about 20% TCGA and about 15% TSG, Sample 16, having about 25% TCGA and less than 2% TSG, Sample 17, having about 40% TCGA and about 23% TSG, Sample 18 having about 38% TCGA and about 19% TSG, and Sample 19, having about 37% TCGA and about 10% TSG, as shown in Table 2 were used for the analyses. All test products containing either Sample 7 or Sample 16 or Sample 17 or Sample 18 or Sample 19 were analyzed against comparative products that did not contain any Stevia-derived natural flavor complex. The formulas for the comparative products that did not contain NFC were adjusted by increasing the amount of neutral ingredients in the formula which would not affect the sensory evaluation. The test and comparative products were evaluated across several attributes, including but not limited to sweetness intensity, bitter intensity, flavor (such as vanilla, cinnamon, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate), flavor notes (such as dairy, cream, whey, alcohol), sour intensity, mouthfeel, astringency, sweet aftertaste, bitter aftertaste, and overall liking.
a. Water
b. Baked Goods
c. Breakfast Cereal
d. Milk/Dairy Products
e. Imitation Dairy Products
a. Non-Dairy/Imitation Dairy Products:
b. Milk/Dairy Products:
c. Non-Alcoholic Beverage:
d. Alcoholic Beverage:
e. Baked Goods:
f. Jams & Jellies:
g. Breakfast Cereals:
h. Fats & Oils:
a. Non-Dairy/Imitation Dairy Products:
b. Non-Alcoholic Beverage:
The disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to specific details of particular embodiments thereof. It is not intended that such details be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the disclosed subject matter except insofar as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described herein are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments described herein. The exemplary embodiments described herein illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components, substances and steps. As used herein the term “consisting essentially of” shall be construed to mean including the listed components, substances or steps and such additional components, substances or steps which do not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the composition or method. In some embodiments, a composition in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that “consists essentially of” the recited components or substances does not include any additional components or substances that alter the basic and novel properties of the composition. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/027761 | 4/16/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63011261 | Apr 2020 | US |
