Along with the major product (1) by-products of the reaction between butan-2,3-dione and hydrochloric acid were isolated. These include (2), (3), (7) and (9). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A process for preparing a savoury flavour, the process comprising reacting a compound of general formula X with hydrogen sulphide and/or cystein , wherein
X is:
in which R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms or hydrogen, R2 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen, R3 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or hydrogen and R4 represents hydrogen or an organic radical consisting of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, hydrogen and from 0 to 2 oxygen atoms.
X is preferably 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3-oxo-2-butyl)-3(2H)-furanone, and is formed from the reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone and diacetyl.
2,5-dimethyl-4-mercapto-3(2H)-furanone is a flavour compound obtainable by this process.
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a savoury flavour which comprises reacting mono- and/or di-methyl-3(2H)-furanone or precursors thereof with cystein and/or hydrogen sulphide. Suitable precursors of mono- or di-methyl-3(2H)-furanone are oligomers of diacetyl, pyruvic aldehyde, pyruvic acid, acetoin, acetol, ethylene glycol aldehyde and glyceraldehyde, including mixed oligomers. The reaction is preferably carried out with cystein and hydrogen sulphide. The latter may be obtained before or during the reaction from a hydrogen sulphide donor.
The reaction is preferably carried out at pH below 7, at 60-160°C for 0.5-4 hours. A food grade acid such as acetic acid may be present.
The reaction mixtures obtained are rich in methyl substituted furanthiols or derivatives thereof.
The invention also relates to flavour precursor mixtures which generate a savoury flavour upon heating and comprises a mono- and/or di-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and/or precursor thereof, cystein and optionally a hydrogen sulphide donor.