PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CITRUS FLAVOR AND AROMA COMPOSITIONS

摘要

The present invention is a process for the production of citrus flavor and aroma compositions comprising the steps of: (a) contacting organic citrus flavor and aroma compounds with a solvent gas having a temperature between its critical temperature and about 100 DEG C. (212 DEG F.), and having a reduced pressure between about 0.56 and about 1.31, to extract flavor and aroma compounds the majority of which have a molecular weight less than or equal to that of limonene; (b) separating the solvent gas and dissolved compounds from the remaining undissolved compounds; and (c) separarting the dissolved compounds from the solvent gas. This process produces an extract which is enriched in the desirable lower molecular weight flavor and aroma compounds and decreased in concentration in the undersirable higher molecular weight flavor and aroma compounds which could impart off-flavors. The invention further comprises the resulting flavor and aroma compositions, as well as citrus juice and citrus beverages containing these resulting compositions.