DUBENDORF, SWITZERLAND — Givaudan Flavours has identified and applied for patents related to its discovery of the bitter taste receptor triggered by Rebaudioside-A, an extract of the stevia plant and a natural zero-calorie sweetener. Understanding how Rebaudioside-A activates bitterness in the mouth has enabled Givaudan to discover and develop flavor ingredients that specifically block this mechanism.
Screening of a chemical library has led to a portfolio of more than 20 flavor ingredients that are effective against Rebaudioside-A bitterness, the company said. Over the past two years Givaudan has obtained regulatory approval for six new natural ingredients for sweetener taste improvement.
"Product developers at food and beverage companies will benefit from this breakthrough ingredient technology to make Reb-A sweetened products taste significantly better than was previously possible," said Dr. Bob Eilerman, head of science and technology for Dubendorf-based Givaudan Flavours.
