Flavouring composition containing gamma-jasmolactone, the use of such a flavouring composition or gamma-jasmolactone per se for flavouring foodstuffs as well as the flavoured foodstuffs obtained

Abstract: The invention relates to flavouring compositions characterized by an effective amount of gamma-jasmolactone having the formula as well as the use of these flavourings or gamma-jasmolactone per se for imparting, enhancing or improving the flavour, in particular the fruity character of foodstuffs and drinks.

Description: The invention relates a.o. to flavouring compositions containing gamma-jasmolactone The compound gamma-jasmolactone having the formula is known in perfumery. More in particular gamma-jasmolactone is known as one of the many components present in jasmin oil. For instance this lactone is mentioned in Agric. Biol. Chem. 45 (11), pages 2639-2640 (1981). As disclosed therein the compounds jasmone, methyl jasmonate and gamma-jasmolactone termed jasmonoids are considered the main odorous principles in the essential oil of jasmin flowers (jasmin oil). In this reference the odorous or perfume properties of these jasmonoids are merely briefly mentioned as this reference is directed to a new synthesis of gamma-jasmolactone. In Yukagaku 32 (1983) 2 , pages 82-87 it is indicated in the "Introduction" that the three compounds cis-jasmone, methyl jasmonate and gamma-jasmolactone isolated from jasmin oil, are valuable compounds as jasmin perfumes. However, the essence of this last mentioned reference was lain in the fact that these compounds could be prepared on the basis of 1-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-cis-3-hexene as starting compound. Furthermore, in Derwent Abstract D23 90-110482/15 it is reported that gamma-jasmolactone, prepared from 1-cyano-3-hydroxy-cis-6-nonene and lactonisation is useful as perfume. Summarizing the above cited references it is stated that gamma-jasmolactone is known as an important and major odorous component of jasmin oil and - on account of that property - is used for perfume applications. Any indication or suggestion for using gamma-jasmolactone in flavouring compositions to be used for the flavouring of foodstuffs etc. is missing in these references. Further from Agric. Biol. Chem. 44 (7), pages 1535-1543 (1980) it is known that besides the eight major constituents of peppermint oil, i.e. menthol, menthone, 1.8-cineole, menthyl acetate, isomenthone, pulegone, piperitone and 3-octanol, about 300 other components are present therein as minor and trace volatile components. One of these trace components is gamma-jasmolactone present in a content of about 0.0001 wt.%. On page 1539, right column of this last mentioned reference it is reported that cis- and trans-Rose oxide as well as gamma- and delta-jasmin lactone impart a rosy and jasmin-like note to the odour of this (peppermint) oil. Finally in British patent 743,845 a process of preparing oleagineous foodstuffs, in particular margarine, shortening, cooking oil etc. is disclosed according to which a small quantity of a lactone of an aliphatic gamma-hydroxy carboxylic acid having 4-14 carbon atoms is incorporated in the oleaginous foodstuff in question. In essence the oleaginous foodstuffs are mixed with lactones of saturated gamma-hydroxy carboxylic acids having preferably 8-12 carbon atoms. Specific representatives of such lactones which are usable in practice and illustrated in the specification of said patent are the lactones of the following saturated fatty acids: gamma-hydroxy butyric add, gamma-hydroxy octanoic acid, gamma-hydroxy nonanoic acid, gamma-hydroxy decanoic acid, gamma-hydroxy undecanoic acid and gamma-hydroxy dodecanoic acid. Surprisingly it has been found that the unsaturated lactone gamma-jasmolactone is particularly suitable for use as a flavouring compound per se or as an ingredient in flavouring compositions, especially suitable for imparting, enhancing or improving the fruity character of foodstuffs and drinks. According to Applicant the organoleptic description of gamma-jasmolactone is fruity, flowery, green, creamy, sweet, juicy and has an association with peaches and tropical fruits. Therefore the invention relates to the use of gamma-jasmolactone per se or in the form of an ingredient of a flavouring composition for imparting, enhancing or improving the fruity character of foodstuffs etc.. Examples of foodstuffs which may be flavoured in accordance with the present invention are a) fruit beverages; b) confectionery like sweets and candy; c) food products, which ought to have a fruity character; d) tooth cleansing products like toothpaste etc.; e) tobacco products; and f) pharmaceutical products. As indicated above gamma-jasmolactone may be incorporated in flavouring compositions containing a number of other flavouring compounds. Flavouring compounds which may be used with the gamma-jasmolactone are well known in the art and are mentioned in e.g. S.Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin (Elisabeth, N.J., USA, 1969), in T.E. Furia et al., CRC Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 2nd Ed. (Cleveland, CRC Press Inc., 1975) and in H.B. Heath, Source Book of Flavors (The Avi Publishing Company Inc., Westport, Connecticut, 1981). The amount of gamma-jasmolactone that can be used in a flavouring composition or in a flavoured product can be varied within broad limits and depends e.g. on the product wherein the flavouring is incorporated, the nature and the amount of the other components of the flavouring composition and the effect desired. Therefore it is only possible to indicate very broad limits which, however, provide an expert with sufficient information to be able to use gamma-jasmolactone, independently. In most cases an amount of only 0.1% by weight in a flavouring composition is sufficient to obtain a clearly observable effect. Normally an amount in the range of 0.01-10% by weight of gamma-jasmolactone will be used in flavouring compositions. In products flavoured with flavouring compositions according to the invention or with gamma-jasmolactone per se its concentration is proportionally lower and depends on the quantity of the composition or compound used in the product. Gamma-jasmolactone can be prepared in a way known from the art. An example of the synthesis of gamma-jasmolacton is described in Helvetica Chimica Acta, 61 , Fasc. 3 (1978) Nr. 87, pages 990-997, using a multi-stage synthesis with acrolein and a Grignard reagent prepared from Mg and 1 bromohex-3-ene as starting reagens. Another synthesis of gamma-jasmolactone is disclosed in J. Org. Chem. 45, pages 237-240 (1980) using a multi-stage synthesis with gamma-(trimethylsiloxy)butyronitrile and a Grignard reagent prepared from Mg and 1-bromohex-3-ene as starting reagens (see Scheme II in said reference). Further preparation methods are disclosed in Yukagaku 36 (1987), 5 , pages 362-365, according to which gamma-jasmolactone is prepared from 1,1-diethoxy-cis-7-decen-4-ol by Jones oxidation in 88% yield and in Yukagaku 37 (1988), 1 , pages 19-22, according to which gamma-jasmolactone is prepared from methyl 6-formyl-4-oxo-hexanoate. The use of gamma-jasmolactone in for instance fruity flavourings is illustrated by the following examples but is not limited thereto in any way; the gamma-jasmolactone used in these examples had been prepared according to the so-called Stetter-reaction illustrated below: Example I Apricot flavourings were prepared according to the following recipes A (parts by weight) B (parts by weight) C (parts by weight) Linalylacetate 0.2 0.2 0.2 Boronia absolute 0.5 0.5 0.5 Osmanthus absolute 0.5 0.5 0.5 Genet absolute 1.0 1.0 1.0 Linalool 3.0 3.0 3.0 Benzaldehyde 5.0 5.0 5.0 Ethylhexanoate 5.0 5.0 5.0 Ethylacetate 22.0 22.0 22.0 Amylacetate 44.5 44.5 44.5 Amylhexanoate 7.0 7.0 7.0 Decalactone, gamma 10,0 - - Jasmolactone, gamma - 10.0 - Damascenon 0.1% solution 10.0 10.0 10.0 Propylene glycol 891.3 891.3 901.3 1000 1000 1000 Example II Peach flavourings were prepared according to the following recipes A (parts by weight) B (parts by weight) C (parts by weight) Damascenon 0.8 0.8 0.8 Geraniol 0.04 0.04 0.04 Jonon α 0.04 0.04 0.04 Decanal 0.15 0.15 0.15 Anethol 0.3 0.3 0.3 Jasmin absolute 0.4 0.4 0.4 Ethyl hexanoate 0.4 0.4 0.4 Lemon oil 1.5 1.5 1.5 Benzaldehyde 0.6 0.6 0.6 Linalylacetate 1.0 1.0 1.0 Ethylbutanoate 1.0 1.0 1.0 Butylacetate 1.3 1.3 1.3 Acetaldehyde 0.3 0.3 0.3 Dodecalacton, gamma 2.3 2.3 2.3 Linalool 3.5 3.5 3.5 Ethylacetate 5.5 5.5 5.5 Hexen-3-yl-1-acetate, cis 6.8 6.8 6.8 Hexen-3-ol-1, cis 8.0 8.0 8.0 Amylacetate 10.0 10.0 10.0 P-Menthanethiol-8-on 3 1% sol. 3.0 3.0 3.0 Decalactone, gamma 20.0 - - Jasmolactone, gamma - 20.0 - Propylene glycol 933.07 933.07 953.07 1000 1000 1000 Example III Strawberry flavourings were prepared according to the following recipes A (parts by weight) B (parts by weight) C (parts by weight) Amylbutyrate 2.0 2.0 2.0 Ethyl hexanoate 5.0 5.0 5.0 Ethyl isovalerate 6.0 6.0 6.0 Hexeen-3-yl-acetate, cis 3.0 3.0 3.0 Methyl butyric acid-2 10.0 10.0 10.0 Ethyl-2-methyl butanoate 10.0 10.0 10.0 Propionic acid 10.0 10.0 10.0 Nonadienal 2.6. 0.4 0.4 0.4 Hexeen-3-ol-1, cis 7.0 7.0 7.0 Ethylbutanoate 21.0 21.0 21.0 Decalactone, gamma 10.0 - - Jasmolactone, gamma - 10.0 - 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyl-3-(2H)furanone 15% 660.0 660.0 660.0 Maltol 6.0 6.0 6.0 Propylene glycol 249.6 249.6 259.6 1000 1000 1000 In view of the above Examples I-III it is brought to the fore that flavourings C, containing no lactone, are evaluated as poor flavourings flavourings A, containing a known natural lactone, i.e. gamma-decalactone, are evaluated as moderate flavourings, whereas flavourings B, containing the gamma-jasmolactone according to the invention, are evaluated as very good flavourings. More in particular gamma-jasmolactone imparts the desired typical, sweet velvety contribution to the flavouring base which aspect is missing in the flavourings A and C. The compound gamma-jasmolactone emphasizes the natural fruity character of the apricot, peach and strawberry flavourings illustrated in the above three examples and provides a completion of the flavour in question.

Claims: Flavouring compositions having a fruity flavour character, characterized by an amount of 0 1 -10 wt % of synthesized gamma-jasmolactone having the formula Food products having a fruity flavour character, characterized in that they contain an effective flavouring composition according to claim 1. Process for imparting, enhancing or improving the fruity flavour character of foodstuffs, characterized by adding thereto an effective amount of a flavouring composition according to claim 1.

Inventors: VLAS ANTON, WILLE HANS JULIUS, VLAS, ANTON, WILLE, HANS JULIUS
Applicants: QUEST INT, QUEST INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A23L1
IPC codes: A23L1