PROCESS FOR PREPARING 4-HYDROXY-5-METHYL-2,3-DIHYDROFURANONE-3 AND CHANGING ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF FOODS

摘要

4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-2,3-dihydrofuranone-3 is obtained by heating a solution with pH between 1 and 7 of a 5-keto-aldohexonic acid or a derivative thereof in a polar solvent at a temperature of 70 DEG C. to 150 DEG C. The 5-keto-aldohexonic acid is preferably 5-ketogluconic acid. Meat flavors are obtained by heating the 5-keto-aldohexonic acid under the same conditions in the presence of a hydrogen sulphide donor like e.g. cysteine. This reaction product may be incorporated into foodstuffs. Also a process of modifying the organoleptic properties of a foodstuff or an ingredient for a foodstuff having a pH between 5 and 7 before consumption and which has to be heated at least 15 minutes to at least 70 DEG C. by incorporating from 30 to 2000 ppm of a 5-keto-aldohexonic acid is described.