Flavors taste-masking effects

Liquid food ingredients encapsulated traditionally have been oil-soluble flavors, spices, and vitamins. However, in recent years, the encapsulation of 3-n polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for improved cardiovascular health has received much interest recently. Fish oils contain desired PUFAs and are microencapsulated in order to increase resistance of the PUFAs to oxidation. Encapsulation also provides taste-masking. A human feeding study established that the ra-3 PUFAs in a microencapsulated fish oil have the same desired effect on platlet ra-3 fatty acid profile as unencapsulated fish oil (64). Figure 12 is a photomicrograph of commercial capsules loaded with PUFAs. 

GHB is known on the street as liquid ecstasy, liquid X, grievous bodily harm, GBH, Georgia Home Boy, liquid G, Somatomax, Cherry Meth, or Gamma 10. GHB is a clear, odorless liquid that has a salty taste that can be masked by putting it into a flavored drink. As with Rohypnol, the effects of the drag are felt shortly after ingestion, usually within 15 minutes, and can last for several hours. The effects include decreased inhibitions, drowsiness, deep unresponsive sleep, respiratory arrest, nausea, convulsions, amnesia, and loss of consciousness. 

Chewable tablets. These tablets are preferred for pediatric and geriatric patients who have difficulty swallowing whole tablets. Another advantage is that they do not need water for administration. Mannitol is normally used as the base diluent because of its pleasant taste and texture, and because it can effectively mask the taste of objectionable actives. They are usually prepared by wet granulation and are not compressed very hard. High amounts of flavor are added to increase palatability. Antacids are typically formulated as chewable tablets. 

Sour and metallic tastes in pharmaceuticals also can be reasonably masked. Sour substances containing hydrochloric acid are most effectively neutralized with raspberry and other fruit syrups. Metallic tastes in oral liquid products (e.g., iron) are usually masked by extracts of gurana, a tropical fruit. Gurana flavor is used at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to about 0.5% and may be useful in solid products as well (e.g., chewable tablets and granules). 

Although Samantha Reid was able to taste the GHB that had been put in her Mountain Dew, in most cases, the taste of the beverage masks the flavor of the drug. The victim never realizes she has been drugged until it is too late. GHB is an especially effective date rape drug because only a small amount is needed to make the victim lose consciousness and become unable to defend... 

Spices have long been important for food products. It was found that small amounts of various plants could be used to enhance the flavor of a food and also served to help preserve that food. In some cases spices were even used to mask spoilage or off-flavors in products. This use continued for centuries without any real understanding of how the spices were being effective. People simply understood that spices helped create a more desirable taste in the foods that were being prepared. Dinerent cuisines are noted for using specific types of spices to create their characteristic flavors. 

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