Process for removing the bitterness from potassium chloride

The invention disclosed is a process to remove the bitterness from KCl. In this process KCl, up to about 56.7% of the solution, by weight is dissolved in hot drinking water. The pH of the solution is then oscillated and returned to near neutral by either first raising the pH by the addition of an appropriate base, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and then lowering the pH to near neutral by the addition of food acids, such as malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid or, combinations of these acids. Or, first lowering the pH and then raising it to near neutral. The solution is then cooled and the resulting precipitate separated from the solution (solution A). The precipitate is then dissolved in hot drinking water (solution B) and the pH is again raised and lowered as described above. Solution A and solution B are then mixed together (solution C). A compound from the group consisting of the amino acid and their salts, in a minimum amount of 0.2% by weight of the KCl is added to solution C. Solution C is then dried and the resulting crystalline product, treated KCl, (salt A) is ground and screened through US mesh 30-100.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Sodium Chloride (NaCl or common table salt) is a frequently used food 
additive and seasoning. It is generally known that NaCl can be harmful to 
the health of human beings, if consumed in excessive amounts or if certain 
health conditions exist. However, humans prefer food that has been 
seasoned with NaCl. Therefore, in recent years, as the harmful effects of 
NaCl have been recognized, attempts have been made to develop substitutes 
for NaCl that provide the same flavoring benefits without the harmful 
effects. These substitutes restrict or lower sodium intake. 
One of these substitutes is potassium chloride (KCl). One problem with the 
use of KCl is that it is bitter and has an unpleasant after taste. 
Therefore, although its use aids in reducing the amount of NaCl consumed, 
it is an undesirable seasoning for food. 
Various methods have been developed to try to alter the taste of KCl. Some 
of them mask the bitterness while others attempt to remove bitterness from 
the KCl, by combining it with various other salts and seasoning compounds. 
The invention disclosed is a more effective method for removing the 
bitterness from KCl and for giving the same results regarding saltiness as 
NaCl. This process provides a product that can be used as a salt seasoning 
without mixing it with any other compounds. It can however, be mixed with 
other salts and/or mineral compounds to enable the addition of needed 
minerals to food, as will be described below. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A primary object of this invention is to produce a palatable substitute for 
common table salt, derived from KCl, that provides the "salty" taste of 
NaCl without the addition of NaCl to the food and which can be used for 
salting food and can be used in the cooking, baking, frying and flavoring 
of food. 
Another object of this invention is to produce a palatable substitute for 
common table salt, derived from KCl, that can be mixed with other 
compounds and salts, if desired, to add minerals, such as magnesium, to 
food. 
The objects of this invention are achieved by a process in which KCl, up to 
about 56.7% of the solution, by weight is dissolved in hot drinking water. 
The pH of the solution is then oscillated and returned to near neutral by 
either first raising the pH by the addition of an appropriate base, such 
as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and then lowering the pH to near neutral by 
the addition of food acids, such as malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, 
succinic acid, hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid or, combinations of 
these acids; or, first lowering the pH and then raising it to near 
neutral. The solution is then cooled and the resulting precipitate 
separated from the solution (solution A). 
The precipitate is then dissolved in hot drinking water (solution B) and 
the pH is again raised and lowered as described above. Solution A and 
solution B are then mixed together (solution C). A compound from the group 
consisting of the amino acids and their salts, in a minimum amount of 0.2% 
by weight of the KCl is added to solution C. 
Solution C is then dried and the resulting crystalline product, treated 
KCl, (salt A) is ground and screened through US mesh 30-100. 
Salt A can also be obtained by variations of the above process as will be 
discussed below. 
Salt A is not bitter and does not have an unpleasant after taste. Salt A 
can then be mixed with anti-caking agents and can be used alone or mixed 
with other salts or mineral compounds for the addition of minerals to 
food. 
Mixtures of salt A and NaCl do not lose their homogeneity because both KCl, 
from which salt A is derived, and NaCl have similar crystal structures. 
Both belong to cubic system and are close in specific gravity and 
refractive indices as the following table indicates: 
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SP. GR. REF IN. AT. WT. MOL. WT. 
SYNONYMA 
______________________________________ 
KCl: 1.984 1.94 74.5 74.5 Nat. Silvite 
NaCl: 2.165 1.54 58.5 58.5 Nat. Halite 
______________________________________ 
Since Potassium has a higher atomic weight than sodium, a mixture within a 
given ratio of NaCl: KCl will have a lower ratio of NA.sup.+ : K.sup.+. 
This is demonstrated in the following table. Data is percent by weight. 
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KCl NaCl Na.sup.+ 
K.sup.+ 
NaCl:KCl 
Na.sup.+ :K.sup.+ 
______________________________________ 
-- 100 39.32 -- -- -- 
100 -- -- 52.35 -- -- 
80 20 7.86 41.87 1:4 0.188 
90 10 3.93 47.11 1:9 0.083 
95 5 1.96 49.72 1:19 0.039 
98 2 0.76 51.29 1:49 0.015 
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If 10 grams daily of a salt composed of 95% Salt A and 5% NaCl is consumed, 
then 4.853 grams of potassium and 0.182 grams of Sodium would be ingested. 
Thus, the relative sodium content is less than 5% of the sodium content in 
10 grams of common table salt. 
Taste tests were performed comparing food made with 100% salt A, a mixture 
of salt A and NaCl (95:5% Salt A: Nacl), and 100% NaCl. These tests 
resulted in findings that support the claims that salt A is not bitter and 
has a pleasant after taste. These tests and the results thereof are set 
forth below.

EXAMPLE (1) 
Mozzarella Cheese 
Mozzarella cheese was made by lowering the pH of milk to 5.3 by adding 
diluted acid. The milk was then heated and curding substances added. The 
resulting curd was then cut and the whey drained. The curd was compressed 
for 2 hours, and then fed with water into a cooker-mixer where it was 
cooked at 170.degree. F. for 15 minutes. The cooked curds were separated 
into 15 blocks, each weighing one pound, and cooled in cold water. 
The blocks were then divided into 3 groups (5 blocks per group) and coated 
with 35 grams of salt A, salt A/Nacl mixture and NaCl respectively and 
placed in a mechanical mold for 24 hours. 
The blocks of cheese were then cut into small pieces and placed on 
pre-numbered trays. Fifteen judges tasted the cheese from the numbered 
trays. Between each taste of cheese they ate bits of watermelon and 
cantaloupe to remove the taste of the previous cheese eaten. Each judge 
was asked to write their comments regarding taste, bitterness and the 
degree of saltiness of each cheese. Their comments were then collected and 
the judges were dismissed. (We note that during this taste testing 
portion, the judges were positioned in a fashion that they could not be 
influenced by each other). 
The judges' sheets were then tallied and the findings are as follows: None 
of the judges found any of the cheese to be bitter or to have any 
aftertaste; 9 of the judges could not differentiate the degree of 
saltiness between the salts used; 5 Judges noted that salt A/NaCl was a 
little saltier than the others and, 1 judge noted that the cheeses coated 
with NaCl were saltier than the others. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Pizza 
Pizza was made with sauce, dough and toppings which were prepared in the 
following manner: 
Sauce: The sauce was made by concentrating tomato juice to one third of the 
original volume through evaporation for 2 hours. Iodate gum Oregano, 
peppers and garlic powder were then added to the juice. The sauce was then 
divided into three one liter bowls, and salted with salt A, salt A/salt 
NaCl mixture and NaCl respectively. 
Dough: The dough was prepared by using 6 cups of all purpose flour, instant 
yeast, one teaspoon of sugar and 1 cup of warm water. The ingredients were 
divided into three bowls and then 5 grams of salt A, salt A/Nacl mixture 
and Nacl were added to each bowl respectively. Each bowl of flour mixture 
was then kneaded until smooth, covered and allowed to raise in a warm 
place, (approximately one hour). 
Toppings: The toppings contained 2 lbs of ground beef which was divided 
into three equal portions in pre-marked frying pans each containing salad 
oil and Salt A, Salt A/NaCl mixture and NaCl respectively. The meat was 
cooked and each meat mixture was then mixed with its corresponding salted, 
mozzarella cheese. 
The pizzas were made, each containing ingredients with the same type of 
salt. 
Fifteen Judges tasted the pizzas as in Example 1. No judge indicated any of 
the pizzas had a bitter taste or unpleasant after taste; 11 Judges could 
not differentiate the degree of saltiness; 4 Judges found the Salt A/NaCl 
mixture to be saltier than the others. 
EXAMPLE 3 
Canning Green Beans 
Green beans were canned by first cleaning and cutting the beans and then 
cooking them at 180.degree. F. for eight minutes. The beans were then 
divided into three groups and placed into pre-marked cans. Three separate 
20 grams per liter brine solutions were made, one for each group of cans. 
These solutions contained Salt A, Salt A/NaCl mixture and NaCl 
respectively. 
The cans were closed with a can closure machine and placed in a retort for 
36 minutes at 240.degree. F. The cans were then opened a week later and 
served with fried chicken. 
The chicken was made by seasoning it with ginger, black pepper and nutmeg 
and dividing it into three groups. Each group was salted with 27 grams of 
Salt A, Salt A/NaCl mixture and NaCl respectively. The chicken was then 
coated with salted flour containing the same salt as used to season the 
chicken. The chicken was then fried in pre-marked frying pans. 
Twelve Judges taste tested the meal which consisted only of the chicken, 
green beans and coke (to clean the palate). 
None of the Judges indicated any disagreeable bitterness after taste; all 
twelve indicated that the Salt A/NaCl salt mixture in the chicken was 
slightly saltier than the others; none of the Judges differentiated 
between the saltiness of the green beans. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The process used to obtain salt A can be modified in a number of ways, 
including variations in the concentration of the original KCl solution; 
the specific acids and bases used to adjust the pH of the solutions; the 
exact temperature of the water, the exact pH modifications made to 
solution A and B; the specific amino acid or amino acid salt added to the 
solutions; and the timing of the addition of the amino acid or amino acid 
salt, i.e. it can be added to all three solutions; solution A and solution 
B; solution B alone; or, solution C alone. Since numerous modifications 
are possible, these modifications, additions, subtractions, substitutions 
are considered to be within the meaning and range equivalency of the 
claims. 
However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, salt A is made by 
the following process. The KCl is added to hot drinking water at 56.7% of 
the solution, by weight (solution A). The pH of the solution A is then 
raised by the addition of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The pH is then 
returned to near neutral by adding adipic acid. The solution A is then 
cooled and the resulting precipitate separated from the solution A. 
The precipitate is then dissolved in hot drinking water (solution B), and 
the pH raised by the addition of KOH and then lowered by the addition of 
adipic acid to near neutral. Solution A and solution B are then mixed 
together (solution C). 2 grams per 100 grams of KCl of L-lysine mono 
hydrochloride is added to solution C. 
Solution C is then dried and the resulting crystalline product (salt A) is 
ground and screened through U.S. mesh 30-100. 
Other acids can be used to return the pH to near neutral, such as malic 
acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid, 
or combinations of these acids. 
The exact pH to which solutions A and B are raised can be varied, as long 
as the pH of the solutions are increased and then decreased. Also, rather 
than raising the pH of the solutions A and B, salt A can also be obtained 
by first lowering the pH and then raising it to near neutral. 
Anti-caking agents, such as tricalcium phosphate, can then added to Salt A, 
which can be used alone or mixed with other salts (such as NaCl as 
discussed above), or mineral compounds. 
Mineral compounds, such as the magnesium compounds magnesium oxide, 
magnesium carbonate and magnesium sulfate; calcium compounds or other 
sodium salts can also be added to Salt A. By varying the exact compound 
and the percent used, the amount of magnesium or other mineral added to 
the diet can be adjusted. These mineral compounds can be added to any of 
the three solutions, during the preparation of salt A or to the final 
crystalline KCl product. 
The following table illustrates how the amount of Mg.sup.++ and Na.sup.+ to 
salt A can be varied by the use of different magnesium compounds and 
different percentages of NaCl. 
The atomic weight of Mg=24.3. The molecular wt. of MgSo.sup.4.H.sub.2 O is 
246.5; magnesium Oxide 56.31; and, MgCO.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O is 138.37. The 
relative percentage of Mg in Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Oxide and 
Magnesium Carbonate are 9.86, 43.15 and 17.56, respectively. 
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ALL DATA PERCENT BY WEIGHT 
KCl 
NaCl 
MgSo.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O 
MgCO.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O 
K+ Na+ 
Mg++ Mg++ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
85 5 10 -- 44.49 
1.966 
0.0986 
-- 
90 5 5 -- 47.11 
1.966 
0.493 
-- 
70 20 10 -- 36.64 
7.864 
0.986 
-- 
95 -- -- 5 49.72 
-- -- 0.878 
90 -- -- 10 47.11 
-- -- 0.176 
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Consumption of 10 grams daily, of 85% potassium salt, 5% sodium chloride 
and 10% magnesium sulfate, would result in the ingestion of 82.2 
milligrams of the desirable magnesium dietary intake and 165 milligrams of 
sodium salt; instead of the intake of 3932 milligrams of sodium in 10 
grams of common salt. This salt is considered diotic because the content 
of sodium is less than the daily allowed intake of sodium. 
While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it should be understood that various alternatives, 
substitutions and equivalents can be used, and the present invention 
should not be limited by the claims and equivalents thereof. 
Various features of the present invention are set fourth in the following 
claims.