Organic acids sensory properties

Although their amounts are low in wines, organic acids are important constituents which affect the sensory properties of wines, particularly tartness (10). Berg et al. (17) reported both the threshold and minimum concentration differences for a number of acids found in grape wines. In a comprehensive study and review of acids, Amerine et al. (42)... 

Organic acids may exhibit other sensory properties. For example, citric acid possesses sweet-and-sour sensory notes, and succinic acid has a salty-bitter taste. On the other hand, the typical taste and flavor of Emmental cheese can be ascribed to the propionic acid and a few other compounds, such as proline. In fact, taste and flavor result from the combination of different food constituents in definite proportions. Raw meat smells much like lactic acid, which arises from postmortem anaerobic glucolysis and determines the pH of meat, its final properties, and microbial stability. This same organic acid has been related to the inhibition of certain pathogenic bacteria in yogurt (3). Table 1 lists the reported threshold concentrations for various organic acids in different media (4-6). 

In carcass decontamination dilute solutions of organic acids (1-3%) normally do not have any effect on the sensory properties of meat. However, it is known that lactic and acetic acid can produce unfavorable sensory changes if applied directly to meat cuts, which may be irreversible. Salts of organic acids are approved for use as food ingredients such as emulsifiers, color and flavor enhancers, and humectants. They are also used to enhance the quality of cooked or cured meat products and to control the pH (Smulders and Greer, 1998). Sodium lactate is approved for use as (1) a flavor enhancer, (2) humectant, and (3) pH control agent (Lemay et al., 2002). 

Aktas, N. and Kaya, M. 2001b. The influence of marination with weak organic acids and salts on the intramuscular connective tissue and sensory properties of beef. European Food Research and Technology 213 88-94. 

Table 6.1 Some Effects Detected on Sensory Properties of Subprimal or Retail Cut Red Meat (Beef) after Application of Organic Acids...

Park, Y.W. and Drake, M.A. 2005. Effect of 3 months frozen-storage on organic acid contents and sensory properties, and their correlations in soft goat milk cheese. Small Ruminant Research 58 291-298. 

Proteins are important food components mainly due to their nutritional and functional value. Dietary proteins provide amino acids and nitrogen necessary for organisms. They also play a major role in determining the sensory and textural characteristics of food products. The functional properties are related to their ability to form viscoelastic networks, bind water, entrap flavors, emulsify fat and oil, and form stable foams [105]. 

Organoleptic Properties. Stereochemical differences of enantiomeric excipients may influence perception by sensory organs. Kutti [17] reported as early as 1886 that the interaction of stereoisomer with chiral receptors led to chiral discrimination as a consequence of the formation of diastereomers. He observed that the dextrorotatory asparagine has a sweet taste whereas the levorotatory form is tasteless. Greenstein and Winitz [18] and Solms et al. [19] reported such differences for many amino acids. Shallenberger et al. [20] reported that for some monosaccharides, both isomers have similar sweetness. In contrast, aspartame (A-aspartylalanine methyl ester) is marketed as the l,l isomer because it is more than 100 times as sweet as sucrose. However, the l,d diastereomer of aspartame is bitter [11], It should be noted that the individual differences of perception of these properties could vary. 

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