Abstract:
This invention is directed to the production of flavoring compositions obtained by heating a spray or atomized droplets of a saturated or partially saturated vegetable oil to a temperature of at least 480° C. in an oxygen starved atmosphere in a fast pyrolysis reactor within 1.0 second. The process is further characterized in that the vegetable oil and the pyrolysis products produced from the vegetable oil are maintained at over 480° C. for a period of time less than one second, and rapidly quenched, within 0.1 second, and the resulting liquid extract is separated and collected. The flavor compositions of this invention are further characterized in that they comprise a unique composition of flavor notes, and exhibit a full rich flavor complement. These flavor compositions are suitable for use as a food additive in order to enhance or provide food flavoring.

Description:
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/950,355, filed Oct. 14, 1997, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,029. 
    
    
     This invention relates to a novel process for preparing a novel flavouring composition which is either utilized by itself or is blended with other flavouring compositions to be used to provide a charcoal or grilled flavour to foodstuffs, e.g. beef, fish, poultry, pork, etc. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Food flavourings are used in the food industry in a variety of ways. One general type of food flavouring is that which adds grilled or barbeque flavour to foods. Typical grilled flavours include those for the preparation of products wherein the content of meat is reduced or non-existent, for example in sauces, snack foods, meat substitutes, pet foods and the like. Such food flavourings can be sprayed onto the food stuffs, the food can be dipped in a solution of the flavouring, or applied in a variety of different manners. One such composition that provides an aspect of a grill flavour is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,342 (DiCicca, 1986). This patent describes a flavouring composition with charred flavour notes which is prepared by subjecting a film of fat or oil to temperatures in the range of 150° C. to 475° C. in the presence of oxygen for an effective period of time followed by collecting the fat or oil. The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,342 involves a continuous flow, thin film apparatus where fat or vegetable oil flows down a tube where a thin film of the fat or vegetable oil is formed around the inside circumference of the tube with a constant flow of air through the centre of the tube. Furthermore, the process is oxidative since heating of the vegetable oil is done in the presence of a substantial amount of oxygen. 
     A development on the flavouring composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,342 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538 (Schulman, 1989). It is disclosed that when one scales up the DiCicca process, there is an ineffective use of equipment and the reaction is inconsistent. As such, U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538 teaches use of a rototherm to carry out the reaction in the presence of between 1-1½ parts of oxygen to 1 part fat or oil. Due to the presence of an equimolar ratio or more of oxygen, this reaction is an oxidative reaction carried out in a thin film heat exchanger. The period of time that the thin film remains in the heat exchanger is for a period of not exceeding 2 minutes and normally in the neighbourhood of 90 seconds. Upon exiting the heat exchanger the combustion products are quenched in less than 20 seconds and commonly in about 10 seconds. 
     This type of charcoal broil flavouring has achieved some commercial success. However, the product that is obtained utilizing this process has a limited flavour profile and level of flavour concentration. In addition, it is always desirable to have available new and different flavour notes that can be used either directly or in a blended form as a grilled food flavouring. 
     It has been known that some food flavourings can be made utilizing a fast pyrolysis reactor of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,876,108 and 4,994,297 (Underwood, 1989 and 1991, respectively). The food flavouring disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,297 comprises liquid smoke, obtained from the pyrolysis of wood or cellulose feed stocks, using the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,108, to produce a flavouring that is related, but quite distinct from the grilled flavourings described herein. The Underwood composition is made utilizing short residence times and is carried out in an oxygen starved atmosphere. Due to the lack of oxygen, the resulting reactions are reductive, not oxidative. For practical reasons, one never achieves a total absence of oxygen in such a process due to the partial difficulties of voiding all oxygen from a reactor system and therefore it would be understood that an oxygen starved atmosphere would have a limited amount of oxygen, i.e. less than 4% molar ratio of oxygen to feed stock. 
     The product made in accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,876,108 and 4,994,297 has also achieved a fair amount of commercial success primarily as a meat flavouring composition having considerable browning characteristics, but does not provide flavour notes that extend beyond those associated with smoked flavours. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,541 there is disclosed the production of a food browning material prepared from the pyrolysis of a sugar or starch feed stock. This product, while useful as a browning agent, lacks any appreciable flavouring ability and it is therefore quite distinct from the food flavouring as disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to the production of unique flavouring compositions. More specifically, this invention is related to the production of flavouring compositions with unique flavour notes using fast pyrolysis reactors and high stability vegetable oils or fats as feed stock. 
     It has unexpectedly been observed that use of apparatus of the type described in the Underwood patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,297, which is incorporated by reference), but utilizing as feed stock high stability vegetable oils or fats, instead of wood, results in flavouring compositions having uniquely distinct grilled flavour notes that are extremely smooth and lack harsh flavour notes. These flavour notes are distinct from the flavour notes or characteristics achieved using the similar feedstock in the apparatus and process of the DiCicca (U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,342) and Schulman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538) patents. The distinct differences in flavour and enhanced concentration indicates that a new and different composition results from the present process. Such a unique grilled flavouring is highly desirable for use in the food flavouring industry, since a reduced amount of flavouring (additive) can be used to achieve the desired flavouring. In addition, more pronounced flavouring can be achieved using equivalent amounts to other available grill flavourings. 
     The present invention utilizes high stability vegetable oils, that is to say, saturated, or partially saturated vegetable oils. It has been determined that saturated or partially saturated vegetable oils achieve a usable product whereas the utilization of unsaturated vegetable oils including some of those disclosed in the DiCicca and Schulman patents result in products having harsh flavour notes and are unacceptable. Furthermore, the enhanced flavour profile and higher flavour concentrations of the flavouring compositions of this invention are obtained through a fast pyrolysis reactor operating in the relative absence of air and at elevated temperatures. No flavour precursors were necessary to enhance the meaty flavour notes of the disclosed flavour compositions. 
     Therefore, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of a flavouring comprising: 
     a) heating a spray or atomized droplets of a saturated or partially saturated vegetable oil to a temperature of at least 480° C. in an oxygen starved atmosphere in a fast pyrolysis system within 1.0 second; 
     b) maintaining the vegetable oil together with the pyrolysis products produced from the vegetable oil, at over 480° C. for a period of time less than one second; 
     c) rapidly quenching the pyrolysis products formed within 0.1 second; 
     d) separating and collecting said liquid extract. 
     This invention also embraces a process as defined above, wherein the vegetable oil is selected from the list comprising saturated or partially saturated palm oil, soya oil, peanut oil, canola, corn oil, coconut oil, animal fats, beef tallow, or butter. Furthermore, this invention relates to the use of saturated or partially saturated soya oil within this process. 
     This invention also provides a grilled flavouring composition which is made in accordance with the process as defined above. Furthermore, this invention is directed to a flavouring composition characterized in that it comprises a compound mix resulting in a gas chromatography fingerprint as that of Table 1. 
     Furthermore, this invention embraces a grilled flavouring composition which contains the flavouring composition made by the process as defined above. This flavouring may be in a liquid, solid, cream, paste or powdered form, or in a spray dried form associated with an appropriate carrier such as malto dextrin or starch. 
     This invention also relates to a food flavouring comprising the grilled flavouring composition defined above together with other suitable food additives. This flavouring may be in a liquid, solid, sauce, cream, paste or powdered form. 
     This invention is directed to food to which has been applied the food flavouring defined above. This food is selected from, but not exclusively limited to, meat, poultry, sea food, milk products, vegetables, deep fried, surface fried, baked, microwaved, barbequed, grilled or snack foods. 
     This invention is directed to a flavouring composition characterized by a gas chromatography (GC) elution profile which comprises at least seven compounds selected from the group consisting of the following approximate GC elution times (in minutes): 5.21; 6.49; 7.59; 8.69; 8.8; 9.97; 10.05; 10.21; 10.78; 11.18; 11.84; 12.2; 12.33; 12.84; 13.0; and 13.62. More specifically, embodiments of this invention include flavouring composition comprising a combination of compounds that give rise to a gas chromatography (GC) elution profile which approximates that of Table 1 (“Flavour composition”), or Table 4 (“Reaction temperature: 500° C.” or “560° C.”, or Table 6 (“Reaction temperature 500° C.” or “560° C.”). 
     This invention also embraces food flavouring compositions, comprising the flavouring composition defined above together with other suitable food additives. This flavouring may be in a liquid, solid, sauce, cream, paste or powdered form. 
     Furthermore, this invention is directed to food to which has been applied the flavouring composition defined above. The food is selected from, but not exclusively limited to, meat, poultry, sea food, milk products, vegetables, deep fried, surface fried, baked, microwaved, barbequed, grilled, or snack foods. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic of one fast pyrolysis process that can be utilized to produce grilled flavoured composition. 
     FIG. 2 is a gas chromatography profile of ( 2 A) a product of this invention; and a profile of ( 2 B) a commercially available product produced using the process as disclosed in Schulman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538). 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following description, the corresponding elements, as shown in each figure of the drawings, are given the same reference number. 
     We have observed that the use of apparatus of the type described in the Underwood patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,297, which is incorporated by reference), utilizing as feed stock high stability vegetable oils or fats, instead of wood, results in flavouring compositions having uniquely distinct grilled flavour notes that are extremely smooth and lack harsh flavour notes. These flavour notes are distinct from the flavour notes or characteristics achieved using the similar feedstock in the apparatus and process of the DiCicca (U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,342) and Schulman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538) patents. 
     FIG. 1 discloses a schematic of a transport fast pyrolysis reactor of type that can be utilized to make the grilled flavourings of the present invention. The feed stream of vegetable oil or fat enters the reactor radially through an animization nozzle ( 1 ) which is positioned just prior to the solid heat carrier separator, and/or just after the solid heat carrier separator, position ( 2 ), and/or just after the secondary solid separator, position ( 3 ). A heat-carrier (hot sand, other solid, or hot carrier gas) is transported in a fluid (recirculation gas or nitrogen with up to 4% molar residual oxygen which is present from pressure tap purge ports; see below) and comes in contact with the atomized feedstock at any one of the entry points. A preferred heat carrier is that of hot sand. 
     In the reaction zones there is thorough and rapid mixing and conductive heat transfer from the heat carrier to the oil as the heat carrier transport gas and feed stock, with pyrolysis products, travels through the reactor system. Preferred ratios of the mass of the heat carrier to the mass of the feedstock, for example of sand:oil, are of about 20:1 to 50:1. In section ( 4 ) of the system the heat carrier is brought up to the desired approach temperature by means of electrical resistance heating, indirect combustion, direct combustion or a combination thereof. At the exit of the heat carrier heating system ( 4 ) the solid heat-carrier is quickly removed using a high-efficiency cyclone ( 5 ). Any fine solids which might avoid separation in this device are removed in a secondary separation means ( 6 ). After separation from the heat carrier, the pyrolysis products are rapidly quenched, resulting in an extremely short overall reaction residence time for the feedstock at the elevated temperatures. 
     The heat carrier together with other solids which are removed by the cyclonic separator are transferred to a heat carrier re-heating system ( 4 ). A noncondensible gas which is a byproduct of the high temperature reactions, is compressed in a blower and transferred to the re-heater ( 4 ) along with the solid heat carrier. In the re-heater ( 4 ), any organic deposits on the sand particles that were not removed in the cyclone separator, can be efficiently combusted by the addition of oxygen to the recirculation line ( 12 ) to help provide process heat and rid the sand of contaminants. Byproduct gases can also be combusted in the re-heater ( 4 ) to add to the reaction thermal energy demand. 
     Immediate quenching of the hot product gaseous/vapour stream from the cyclonic separators occurs in a direct contact condensing system ( 7 ). A pump draws condensed liquid from the bottom of the condensing column and passes it through a heat exchanger ( 8 ). The cool product liquid is then sprayed back to the top of the direct contact column ( 7 ). Any liquids which are carried out of the direct contact collection system are removed in stainless steel demister ( 9 ) and fibreglass filter ( 10 ). Utilization of a secondary condenser ( 11 ) can also be used in order to improve the efficiency of the process. 
     The system operates between 485° C. and 550° C. with a vapour residence time of less than 1.0 seconds and it preferred a vapour residence time of between 50 to 300 milliseconds. The “vapour residence time” is defined as the period of time from the point at which the feed stock comes into contact with the hot inert heat carrier to the time that it is separated from the heat carrier and cooled in the primary condensers. 
     In any system of fast pyrolysis it is important to recognize that it is the entire period of time at which the feed stock and pyrolysis products are maintained at elevated temperatures that is critical. Any processes which can minimize this period of time will result in a preferred fast pyrolysis system. 
     The appropriate vegetable oils that are utilized in the present invention are those having a high stability, namely, those vegetable oils that are saturated or are partially saturated. Examples of appropriate vegetable oils would be saturated or partially saturated palm oil, soya oil, peanut oil, canola, corn oil or coconut oil. Alternative feedstocks include animal fats such as butter, beef tallow, etc. However, use of unsaturated vegetable oils results in unwanted side reactions which transform the pyrolysis products into undesirable tars, etc, and is to be avoided. 
     The process is conducted in a reductive atmosphere that is essentially free of oxygen or air. The only oxygen present is that which is necessary for pressure tap purging, or residual amounts that enter the system by reason of system limitations or leaks. 
     According to the present invention by “flavour note” it is meant the compound that gives rise to a flavour component of the compositions of this invention. The term “flavour note” and “compound” are used interchangeably. Specific flavour notes can be identified by analytical means such as detection following gas chromatography by a suitable detector, or by smell, or taste. Chemical analysis of the grilled flavouring composition made utilizing the present invention is set out in Table 2 (see Example 1, below). For comparative purposes, an analysis of the product made utilizing the Schulman patent is also set out. 
     It can be seen from Table 2 that the flavour notes that result from the present invention are markedly different from those obtained using the Schulman process even when using the same feedstock. In particular, in a comparative taste test panel, it was noted that the flavour profile of the present invention was more enhanced and of a rich, higher concentration (approximately twice as strong). 
     The process of the present invention is to be conducted at temperatures over 480° C. (900° F.) and preferably over 500° C. to 550° C. (930-1020° F.). While the precesses of Schulman and DiCicca are performed at lower temperature ranges, in the order of 315-370° C. (600-700° F.), and 150-475° C. (300-890° F.), respectively. 
     By reason of the absence or essential absence of oxygen from the reaction zone, the present process is endothermic, and it is a non-combustion process. This results in an entirely different series of reactions resulting in different products than those achieved utilizing the Schulman process. In addition, the shorter residence time and rapid quenching, result in a different product profile as is exemplified in Table 2. 
     The flavour compositions that are made utilizing the present invention are very strong and distinctive and as such, can be added with other flavourings resulting in a blended product. In addition, the product of the present invention can be utilized in a spray dried form associated with an appropriate carrier such as malto dextrin, starches, or other carriers as would be known to one of skill in the art. The blended product can then be applied to meats and other food stuffs, including but not limited to, milk products, vegetables, deep fried, surface fried, baked, microwaved, barbequed, grilled, or snack foods, and sea foods for which it is desired to produce an enhanced flavour. 
     In addition, a blended flavouring can be sold directly to consumers, in the form of a liquid, solid, powder, paste, sauce, or cream for applications to meats and other foods that are to be prepared. The grill flavourings of this invention and blends containing these flavourings can also be sold as microwave browners and flavour additives. 
     This invention will now be further described by references to the following examples: 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     The procedure of Underwood, U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,297, which is incorporated by reference, with the following feedstock was employed for this example. 
     A mixture of partially hydrogenated soy and cottonseed oil (see Table 1, below), was processed in the reaction system. The mixture was preheated to approximately 40° C. (for ease of pumping), and injected into the reaction vessel. The reactor was maintained at a temperature of 504° C. The reaction residence time was determined to be 211 milliseconds (i.e., for the time of injection to the time of rapid quenching). The resultant liquid material was taste tested and found to possess a char-grilled flavour, suitable for application to foods. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fatty acid profile and specifications of partially hydrogenated soy and 
               
               
                 cottonseed oil 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Carbon Number 
                 % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 12:0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 14:0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 16:0 
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 16:1 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 18:0 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 18:1 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 18:2 
                 78 
               
               
                   
                 18:3 
                 trace 
               
               
                   
                 Iodine value 
                 74-81 
               
               
                   
                 Flavour 
                 bland 
               
               
                   
                 Smoke point 
                 420-450° F. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Characterization of Reaction Product 
     A sample of the product was extracted in propylene glycol and analysed using gas chromatography. For comparison, a sample of a commercially available natural grill flavour, prepared using the Schulman process with a feed stock comprising partially hydrogenated soybean/cottonseed oil and extracted in propylene glycol, was also analysed. A Varian Star 3400CX gas chromatograph was used, fitted with a 30 meter×0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 micron film thickness, J&amp;W Scientific fused silica DB-Wax capillary column (catalog number #122-7032). The column was run at 40° C. initial temp and ramped to 220° C. at 10° C./min with a 5 minute hold at 220° C. The carrier gas was hydrogen at 25 PSIG, and 1 microliter samples were injected onto the column. 
     Results of the peak areas are indicated in Table 2, as are compounds that are of importance to the natural grill flavour. These compounds were determined by smelling each peak as it eluted from the GC through a heated “sniff port”. Comparisons of the gas chromatography profiles are provided in FIG. 2A (the product of this example) and FIG. 2B (the commercially available product). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Gas Chromatograph Area Counts From Water Extractions of products 
               
               
                 derived from partially hydrogenated soy and cottonseed oil prepared 
               
               
                 by the process of this invention (“Flavour composition”) or by 
               
               
                 the process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,538 (“Commercial product”). 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Important 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Flavour 
                 Peak Areas: 
                 Peak Areas: 
               
               
                 Time (min) 
                 Notes 
                 Flavour composition 
                 Commercial product 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.969 
                   
                 44 
                   
               
               
                 1.064 
                   
                 4779  
                 7339  
               
               
                 1.416 
                   
                 46 
               
               
                 1.809 
                   
                 31 
               
               
                 2.134 
                   
                 31 
               
               
                 2.543 
                   
                 38 
               
               
                 2.583 
                   
                 29 
               
               
                 3.153 
                   
                 41 
               
               
                 4.379 
                   
                 34 
               
               
                 4.538 
                   
                 43 
               
               
                 4.632 
                   
                 29 
               
               
                 4.736 
                   
                 36 
               
               
                 4.808 
                   
                 24 
               
               
                 5.212 
                 * 
                 92 
                 92 
               
               
                 6.199 
                   
                 37 
               
               
                 6.493 
                 * 
                 546  
                 248  
               
               
                 6.656 
                   
                 60 
                 71 
               
               
                 7.094 
                   
                 22 
                 74 
               
               
                 7.59  
                 * 
                 234  
                 101  
               
               
                 8.254 
                   
                 42 
               
               
                 8.36  
                   
                 28 
                 150  
               
               
                 8.492 
                   
                 28 
               
               
                 8.568 
                   
                 82 
                 165  
               
               
                 8.685 
                 * 
                 189  
                 81 
               
               
                 8.797 
                 * 
                 350  
                 95 
               
               
                 9.003 
                   
                 31 
               
               
                 9.098 
                   
                 21 
               
               
                 9.177 
                   
                 41 
               
               
                 9.972 
                 * 
                 184  
                 61 
               
               
                 10.053  
                 * 
                 241  
               
               
                 10.21  
                 * 
                 54 
               
               
                 10.368  
                   
                 34 
               
               
                 10.784  
                 * 
                 168  
               
               
                 10.951  
                   
                 43 
               
               
                 11.179  
                 * 
                 110  
               
               
                 11.519  
                   
                 35 
               
               
                 11.839  
                 * 
                 141  
               
               
                 12.202  
                 * 
                 36 
               
               
                 12.325  
                 * 
                 33 
               
               
                 12.782  
                   
                 47 
               
               
                 12.835  
                 * 
                 59 
               
               
                 13.005  
                 * 
                 101  
               
               
                 13.381  
                   
                 22 
               
               
                 13.623  
                 * 
                 56 
               
               
                 14.038  
                   
                 42 
               
               
                 14.296  
                   
                 36 
               
               
                 14.435  
                   
                 26 
               
               
                 14.594  
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 15.196  
                   
                 27 
                 64 
               
               
                 15.354  
                   
                 76 
                 55 
               
               
                 16.116  
                   
                 22 
               
               
                 16.296  
                   
                 30 
                 240  
               
               
                 16.586  
                   
                 48 
               
               
                 17.253  
                   
                 20 
                 76 
               
               
                 17.294  
                   
                 27 
               
               
                 17.542  
                   
                 36 
               
               
                 18.137  
                   
                 38 
               
               
                 18.185  
                   
                 24 
               
               
                 18.744  
                   
                 48 
               
               
                 19.102  
                   
                 48 
               
               
                 19.682  
                   
                 520  
               
               
                 20.098  
                   
                 26 
               
               
                 22.325  
                   
                 48 
               
               
                 22.177  
                   
                 34 
                   
               
               
                 Total Area 
                   
                 9,631   
                 8,912   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As can be seen from Table 2 and FIG. 2, the product of this example comprises a more complex GC peak profile when compared with the commercially available product. Furthermore, this product has a greater variety of important flavour notes. A comparison of the peak areas of the GC profiles of the important flavour notes indicates up to a two fold increase in the product produced by this example (e.g. compare peaks areas at 6.493 min of 546 v 248 etc.). Furthermore, the commercially available product lacks the compliment of compounds eliciting important flavour notes observed after elution times greater than 10 min. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     A pure soybean oil (see Table 3) was processed under similar conditions to Example 1, at two different reactor temperatures of 500° C. and 560° C. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Soybean Oil Specifications 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Colour 
                 15-Yellow - 1.5 Red max 
               
               
                   
                 Flavour 
                 bland 
               
               
                   
                 Iodine value 
                 124-139 
               
               
                   
                 Smoke point 
                 218° C. min 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The reaction conditions were as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Reactor temperature 
                 500° C. or 560° C. 
               
               
                   
                 Residence time 
                 151 ms 
               
               
                   
                 Reactor velocity 
                 61.6 ft/s 
               
               
                   
                 Feed Throughput rate 
                 2600 lb/hr-ft 2   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The resultant products were analysed by GC (Table 4) 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Gas Chromatograph Area Counts From Water Extractions of Products 
               
               
                 derived from Soybean Oil 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Important 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Time 
                 Flavour Notes 
                 Reaction temperature: 500° C. 
                 560° C. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.969 
                   
                 624  
                 608  
               
               
                 1.064 
                   
                 2777  
                 2824  
               
               
                 1.416 
               
               
                 1.809 
                   
                   
                 27 
               
               
                 2.134 
                   
                   
                 19 
               
               
                 2.543 
                   
                 18 
                 55 
               
               
                 2.583 
               
               
                 3.153 
                   
                   
                 14 
               
               
                 4.379 
               
               
                 4.538 
               
               
                 4.632 
               
               
                 4.736 
                   
                   
                 23 
               
               
                 4.808 
               
               
                 5.212 
                 * 
                   
                 37 
               
               
                 6.199 
               
               
                 6.493 
                 * 
                 85 
                 136  
               
               
                 7.094 
               
               
                 7.59  
                 * 
                 36 
                 102  
               
               
                 8.254 
               
               
                 8.36  
               
               
                 8.492 
               
               
                 8.568 
               
               
                 8.685 
                 * 
                 36 
                 180  
               
               
                 8.797 
                 * 
                 40 
                 64 
               
               
                 9.003 
               
               
                 9.098 
               
               
                 9.177 
               
               
                 9.972 
                 * 
                 17 
                 55 
               
               
                 10.053  
                 * 
                 38 
                 53 
               
               
                 10.21  
                 * 
                 12 
                 17 
               
               
                 10.368  
               
               
                 10.784  
                 * 
                 31 
                 41 
               
               
                 10.951  
               
               
                 11.179  
                 * 
                 14 
                 47 
               
               
                 11.519  
                   
                   
                 18 
               
               
                 11.839  
                 * 
                 24 
                 43 
               
               
                 12.202  
                 * 
                 25 
               
               
                 12.325  
                 * 
                 36 
                 128  
               
               
                 12.782  
               
               
                 12.835  
                 * 
                 15 
                 28 
               
               
                 13.005  
                 * 
                 20 
                 73 
               
               
                 13.381  
               
               
                 13.623  
                 * 
               
               
                 14.038  
               
               
                 14.296  
               
               
                 14.435  
               
               
                 14.594  
               
               
                 15.196  
               
               
                 15.354  
               
               
                 16.116  
               
               
                 16.296  
                   
                 69 
                 66 
               
               
                 16.586  
               
               
                 17.253  
               
               
                 17.294  
               
               
                 17.542  
               
               
                 18.137  
               
               
                 18.185  
               
               
                 18.744  
               
               
                 19.102  
               
               
                 19.682  
               
               
                 20.098  
               
               
                 22.325  
                   
                 119  
               
               
                 22.177  
                   
                   
                 55 
               
               
                 Total Area 
                   
                 4,096   
                 5,156   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The resultant liquid product of resulting form either reaction run had a sharper taste and lacked the broad flavour profile of Example 1. However, it still exhibited the char-grilled flavour of Example 1. It can also be seen that the composition of the 560° C. reaction temperature product comprises higher levels of compounds than that of the lower, 500° C., run. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     A pure canola oil feedstock (see Table 5) was processed under similar conditions referred to in Example 1, at 500° C. and 560° C. with a reactor residence time of 130 ms. The feedstock was atomized and injected into the reactor followed by rapid quenching. The resultant liquid product was subsequently taste tested and analysed by GC (Table 6). The flavour profile exhibited some meaty flavour notes, however, it was found to be much weaker than the flavour composition of Example 1. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Canola Oil Specifications 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Colour 
                 15 Yellow - 1.5 Red max 
               
               
                   
                 Flavour 
                 bland 
               
               
                   
                 Iodine value 
                 110-126 
               
               
                   
                 Smoke point 
                 218° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Products analysed by GC (Table 6) indicate the presence of different amounts of between the two reaction temperature runs. An increase in the amount and occurrence of important flavour notes is observed with flavour composition produced by the higher reaction temperature run. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Gas Chromatograph Area Counts From Water Extractions of Canola Oil 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Important Flavour 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Time 
                 Notes 
                 Reaction temperature: 500° C. 
                 560° C. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.969 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1.064 
                   
                 3336  
                 3462  
               
               
                 1.416 
               
               
                 1.809 
               
               
                 2.134 
               
               
                 2.543 
                   
                   
                 11 
               
               
                 2.583 
               
               
                 3.153 
               
               
                 4.379 
               
               
                 4.538 
               
               
                 4.632 
               
               
                 4.736 
               
               
                 4.808 
               
               
                 5.212 
                 * 
                   
                 14 
               
               
                 6.199 
               
               
                 6.493 
                 * 
                 26 
                 31 
               
               
                 6.656 
               
               
                 7.094 
               
               
                 7.59  
                 * 
                   
                 18 
               
               
                 8.254 
               
               
                 8.36  
               
               
                 8.492 
               
               
                 8.568 
               
               
                 8.685 
                 * 
                 46 
                 37 
               
               
                 8.797 
                 * 
               
               
                 9.003 
               
               
                 9.098 
               
               
                 9.177 
               
               
                 9.972 
                 * 
               
               
                 10.053  
                 * 
               
               
                 10.21  
                 * 
               
               
                 10.368  
               
               
                 10.784  
                 * 
               
               
                 10.951  
               
               
                 11.179  
                 * 
                 24 
                 11 
               
               
                 11.519  
               
               
                 11.839  
                 * 
                   
                 12 
               
               
                 12.202  
                 * 
                 16 
                 65 
               
               
                 12.325  
                 * 
                 97 
               
               
                 12.782  
               
               
                 12.835  
                 * 
                 40 
               
               
                 13.005  
                 * 
                 39 
                 56 
               
               
                 13.381  
               
               
                 13.623  
                 * 
               
               
                 14.038  
               
               
                 14.296  
               
               
                 14.435  
               
               
                 14.594  
               
               
                 15.196  
               
               
                 15.354  
                   
                 20 
               
               
                 16.116  
               
               
                 16.296  
                 61 
                 65 
               
               
                 16.586  
               
               
                 17.253  
               
               
                 17.294  
               
               
                 17.542  
               
               
                 18.137  
               
               
                 18.185  
               
               
                 18.744  
               
               
                 19.102  
               
               
                 19.682  
               
               
                 20.098  
               
               
                 22.325  
                   
                   
                 26 
               
               
                 22.177  
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Total 
                   
                 3,745   
                 3,896   
               
               
                 Areas 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     EXAMPLE 4 
     A blended product was produced to achieve a grilled flavouring food that resembled the product of Example 1 but having a slightly mellower flavour. This was achieved by adding feed stock comprising 80% hydrogenated soy and cottonseed oil (see Example 1, Table 1 for specifications) and 20% soybean oil (see Example 2, Table 3 for specifications). The feedstock was processed at 500° C. with a reactor residence time of 170 ms. The feedstock was atomized and injected into the reactor followed by rapid quenching. The resultant liquid product was taste tested. The flavour profile was weaker than that observed with the product of Example 1, and exhibited more mellow overtones. 
     The present invention has been described with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the following claims.