Patent Description:
Conventional reaction flavors have been used to impart, savory, meaty, or yeasty flavors to final food and beverage products. Conventional reaction flavors are usually added at a low percentage through seasoning blend, marinade, or injection. Other delivery methods can be used, but the system must be able to handle runoff and retain flavor. These conventional reaction flavors have been used in final food and beverage products as an enhancement to their cooking method and to amplify existing seasoning.

Conventional reaction flavors were produced through a reaction of reducing sugars, such as dextrose, xylose, and fructose, with amino acids. This reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars is referred to as the "Maillard reaction" and gives food distinctive cooked flavors resulting from heating. In this reaction, carbonyl compounds, especially reducing sugars, react with compounds having free amino groups, such as amines, amino acids, and proteins.

While conventional reaction flavors have been used in certain applications, they are limited in multiple respects. For example, conventional reaction flavors provide a narrow flavor, color, and aroma profile. These profiles are directly correlated to the initial sugars and amino acids used, and sub-variations created by pH adjustment, temperatures, and process times. Generally, conventional reaction flavors have a sweet or savory aroma and flavor.

As a further limitation, conventional reaction flavors do not adhere to a protein surface using current manufacturing processes (i.e., drenching, atomization, showering). Instead, they leach off or wash off the surface of a product during manufacturing.

Emulsifiers, such as polysorbate, propylene glycol, and lecithin, have been used to help conventional reaction flavors adhere to a protein surface, but produce unsatisfactory results. While the addition of these emulsifiers make the conventional reaction flavors more homogeneous, the conventional reaction flavors still do not have phenolic compounds and still do not bind to a protein surface. As such, the resulting reaction emulsifier mixture is liable to runoff and purge during the cook cycle, leaving a diminished color and flavor.

Liquid smoke (referred to herein as "LS") solutions / compositions are alternative agents that are used to impart particular flavors, aromas, and properties to food products. LS solutions are liquid condensates that are capable of imparting smoky hue or coloration and smoky flavor to a food product exposed to a liquid or vapor phase of the solution. LS has conventionally been used to develop dark color in food products via staining on meat surfaces with limited cooking and drying time. LS has an affinity for protein because of the phenol content and works well for adhesion in casings. LS solutions that work most efficiently at staining a product have alkaline pH values.

Like conventional reaction flavors, LS solutions also have certain limitations that preclude their use outside of particular applications. One limitation of LS solutions is their unique flavor. LS solutions have a very strong smoky, ashy, and caustic bitter flavor. In many applications, however, light flavor or no flavor is desirable. Moreover, it is generally desirable for reaction flavors to have pH less than <NUM>, in order to replicate food systems. LS solutions, however, typically have alkaline pH values. Those skilled in the art know that high pH reaction flavors also have an undesirable flavor in most applications.

<CIT> relates to a process for the preparation of a flavouring substance which comprises reacting an amino reagent comprising cysteine with fractionated liquid wood smoke at an elevated temperature in the presence of water. <CIT>relates to a smoked beef flavor crisp pine nut, and in particular, to a smoked beef flavor crisp pine nut and a preparation method therefor. Riha et al. (<NUM>) relates to the color-forming potential of carbonyl compounds from liquid smoke solutions with selected amino acids by a colori-metric procedure.

What is needed, then, are reaction flavors having expanded flavor, color, and aroma profiles from what is available in conventional reaction flavors and LS solutions. Additionally, there is a need for reaction flavors having improved protein binding, without the bitter flavor of LS.

The disclosed LS reaction products overcome a variety of problems in the related art of reaction flavors. Contrary to conventional reaction flavors, the present disclosure encompasses unique flavor, color, and aroma profiles produced through reaction of LS compositions and amino acids. The presently disclosed subject matter provides processes for preparing LS reaction products, as well as LS reaction products, as well as foods and beverages treated with LS reaction products. Examples of embodiments of the disclosure described below may overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.

The invention provides processes for preparing LS reaction products, as described herein. The processes include the steps of preparing a reaction solution that includes a LS and an amino acid and heating the reaction solutionto a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes;
wherein the liquid smoke composition has:.

In another aspect, the presently disclosed subject matter provides LS reaction products, which exhibit unique flavor, color, and aroma profiles, as well as beneficial properties, such as excellent protein binding.

In another aspect, the presently disclosed subject matter provides processes for treating a food or beverage product with LS reaction products. The processes include contacting food or beverage products with a LS reaction product.

In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed subject matter provides food or beverage products treated with LS reaction products.

The disclosed LS reaction products improve upon conventional reaction flavors and LS solutions by combining the variability and customization of conventional reaction flavors with the functionality of LS. The disclosed LS reaction products exhibit a unique flavor profile that may, for example, be nutty, smoky, or charry. The LS reaction products also exhibit a depth and breadth of color that is unique from conventional reactions of reducing sugars and amino acids. The disclosed LS reaction products also exhibit additional functionalities compared to conventional reaction flavors, including, but not limited to, protein binding, antimicrobial properties, emulsification enhancement, and post cook browning.

More particularly, the LS reaction products have a new, unique reaction flavor profile that is not available on the market today, without blending several savory reaction flavors and LS solutions separately. The LS reaction products also have improved properties compared to conventional reaction flavors, such as improved adhesion to protein-based products, allowing the LS reaction products to pass through multiple process steps without purging or leaching. The LS reaction products also exhibit unique flavors that can be, for example, nutty, smoky, or charry, as well as unique aromas, and a unique depth and breadth of color, compared to what was conventionally available through conventional reactions of sugars and amino acids.

Unlike conventional reaction flavors, the LS reaction products do not depend on sugar as one of the key drivers in the Maillard reaction. Instead the reaction utilizes the variety of carbonyl-containing compounds that are naturally occurring in LS and its derivatives. Reaction of the array of carbonyl compounds within LS with amino acids provides a novel and unique breadth of flavor profiles and a dark robust color palette, which were not previously available.

Furthermore, unlike conventional reaction flavors, the disclosed LS reaction products bind to protein structure instead of separating and leaching out of the surface of a product. Whereas conventional food and beverage systems required the inclusion of additives to achieve such functionality, the disclosed LS reaction products surprisingly exhibit excellent protein binding, without the addition emulsifiers, additives, or adherents. The disclosed LS reaction products achieve excellent protein binding through reaction of as few as two ingredients - LS and amino acids.

The disclosed LS reaction products are prepared from reaction of LS compositions and amino acids. LS compositions known in the art may be used as starting materials. For example, non-limiting varieties of LS compositions include aqueous liquid smokes, oil-soluble smokes and dry smoke powders. Preferred LS compositions are aqueous smokes, which would include but not be limited to primary smokes, concentrated smokes, and buffered/neutral smokes. As is known in the art, LS compositions are the condensed products from the destructive distillation of wood. LS compositions are obtained from pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust and contain constituents primarily from the thermal degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. <CIT>describes a typical commercial preparation of LS compositions for surface applications to foodstuffs.

As described in <CIT>, the commercial production of LS compositions typically begins with smoke made by pyrolysis and limited combustion of wood. Pyrolysis produces condensable liquids, non-condensable gases, and solids in varying proportions, depending on reaction conditions. The condensable liquids from pyrolyzed wood can be further subdivided into water soluble organics and water insoluble tars.

After pyrolysis or combustion, the smoke is subsequently collected and fed through a column countercurrent to the flow of recirculating water. The resulting dilution of the condensable smoke components in water results in the removal of undesired tars and water insoluble components. Further refinement of the liquid solution is needed to isolate the water soluble organics, which contain the LS compositions used for flavoring and coloring applications.

LS compositions in the art have been produced through different methodologies, including, for example, calciner and Rapid Thermal Processing (referred to as "RTP") methods.

Patent No. <CIT>describes the calciner methodology. Regarding RTP smoke collection, <CIT> provides a description of this methodology.

LS compositions used for flavoring and coloring applications are complex and variable mixtures of chemicals and include over <NUM> chemical compounds. An exemplary summary of constituents found in liquid smoke is provided by <NPL>).

The color and flavor chemistry of LS compositions is highly complex as evidenced by the over four hundred compounds identified as constituents of these compositions. Due to this complexity, LS compositions are characterized by their content of certain classes of compounds, namely, acids, carbonyls, and phenols. Phenols are primarily flavoring and aroma compounds, carbonyls are mainly responsible for surface coloration, and acids are principally preservatives and pH controlling agents. Acids and carbonyls also make secondary contributions to flavor and may enhance surface characteristics of smoked meat products.

As one non-limiting example, a representative commercial LS composition may include a titratable acidity level of about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% carbonyls, about <NUM>% phenols, and at least <NUM>% water. The remaining constituents, about <NUM>% of the total mass balance of the LS composition, include basic and neutral organic compounds.

The disclosed LS reaction products can be produced using a heated process step known in the art that is capable of heating a liquid to a specified temperature for a duration of time.

As claimed, the heated processing step heats the reaction solution to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes.

Preferably, the heated process step is food grade corrosion resistant and capable of agitation.

In one advantageous embodiment, a sealed reactor vessel with constant agitation is used. The rate of agitation can be greater than <NUM>,<NUM> Re to maintain turbulent flow in the vessel. The use of a reactor vessel with constant agitation preferably increases reactant contact and maintains product uniformity.

In certain embodiments, a sealed reactor vessel can operate at pressures between <NUM>-<NUM> Pa (<NUM>-<NUM> PSI).

The pressure depends on the amount of head space in the reactor and the reactants used during the process. Certain reactions release a high quantity of gas and create a lot of pressure and other reactions create almost no pressure.

Reaction materials may be added to a food grade heated reactor vessel, equipped with a source of heating and agitation. The reaction is carried out at a pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> Pa. The reactor vessel is heated to a temperature of between about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>. This temperature can be maintained for about <NUM> to about <NUM> minutes. Preferably, the temperature is maintained for about <NUM> minutes to about <NUM> minutes. During the reaction, the reaction solution is preferably constantly agitated at a rate of greater than about <NUM>,<NUM> Re.

In carrying out the reaction for preparing the disclosed LS reaction products, LS compositions are used as a reactant, including both calciner and RTP LS compositions. In certain embodiments, the LS composition has a carbonyl content of greater than <NUM>% and up to about <NUM>%. More preferably, carbonyl content of the LS composition is greater than about <NUM>%, up to about <NUM>%.

In certain embodiments, a LS composition used as a reactant for preparing the disclosed LS reaction products may also have one or more of a pH less than about <NUM>, an acid content less than about <NUM>% by wt. , a Brix tC greater than about <NUM> and less than about <NUM>, and a phenol content greater than about <NUM>/ml of phenol measured by concentration of <NUM>,<NUM> dimethoxyphenol at <NUM> wavelength, with some LS composition reactants having a phenol content up to about <NUM>/mL.

Exemplary LS composition reactants for preparation of the disclosed LS reaction products include, but are not limited to, Zesti CODE <NUM>, Red Arrow RA12054, Red Arrow RA95075, Zesti SUPERSMOKE <NUM>, Red Arrow SELECT R24, which are described below:.

The disclosed LS reaction products may be produced through reaction of a range of concentrations of the LS and amino acid reactants, wherein the differing ratios of the reactants produce differing flavor, color, and aroma profiles. In one embodiment, the amount of the LS reactant is about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by wt. of the reaction materials. Preferably, the LS reactant is included in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by wt. of the reaction materials. LS reactants may be used singularly, or in combinations of two or more.

Amino acids are used as reactants for production of the disclosed LS reaction products. This includes both natural and non-natural amino acids. In certain embodiments, the amino acids are Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, and Valine. The amino acids reactants may be used singularly, or in combinations of two or more. The amino acids can be in provided in various forms, such as a powder or solution reagent, so that when combined with the liquid smoke reactant, the reactants undergo a maillard reaction resulting in a liquid smoke reaction product that can be applied to food and beverage products as explained herein.

In certain embodiments, the one or more amino acid reactants are added in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by wt. of the reaction materials. Preferably, the one or more amino acids are used in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by wt. of the reaction materials.

The reaction mixture contains water in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by wt. of the reaction materials.

According to the claimed process the pH of the reaction mixture is less than <NUM> and may be adjusted using suitable pH adjusting agents. For example, pH adjusting agents include but are not limited to sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.

The disclosed LS reaction products are prepared from only natural ingredients and solvents. The reaction mixture for producing the disclosed LS reaction products may be limited to LS condensates from pyrolysis of natural materials (e.g., wood), natural amino acids, pH adjusting agents, and water. The reaction mixture for producing the disclosed LS reaction products may exclude non-natural ingredients and solvents, including but not limited to added color, artificial flavors, and synthetic substances. The LS reaction products may also exclude any additives, including but not limited to emulsifiers and adherents.

After completion of the reaction, the LS reaction product may be used without further purification. The LS reaction product may be further processed into other forms, such as powders or dilutions. LS reaction products could be dried using any commercially available technology with or without a carrier. Carriers could include but would not be limited to maltodextrin, gum arabic, food starch, modified food starch, or malted barley flour.

As a result of the various chemical rearrangements involved in the reaction between the LS and amino acid reactants, the reaction can be driven in multiple directions based on temperature, reactant concentrations, pH, and time. As a result, the LS reaction products may exhibit an array of unique flavors with varying taste profiles, colors, and aromas.

In one embodiment, the disclosed LS reaction product has a phenol content greater than <NUM>/ml of phenol measured by concentration of <NUM>,<NUM> dimethoxyphenol at <NUM> wavelength. The disclosed LS reaction products may have a phenol content of about <NUM>/mL.

In one embodiment, the LS reaction product has a pH in the acidic range of between about <NUM> and about <NUM> and an acid content less than about <NUM>% by wt.

In one embodiment, the LS reaction product has a carbonyl content of greater than about <NUM>% and up to about <NUM>% weight per unit volume (w/v).

The disclosed LS reaction products can have a range of solids content. The final solids content of a product is determined by the initial concentration of the amino acids and LS composition reactants that are used. Using a maximum carbonyl content of <NUM>% (carbonyl concentration measured by reacted <NUM>-butanone standard in solution at <NUM> wavelength) and a maximum amino acid content of <NUM>%, a product would result that was a gel or fully solid, which would not be commercially viable. Maximum solids would therefore need to be determined on a case by case basis. As long as the product is minimally flowable the solids content would be acceptable. For example, in certain embodiments, a maximum of <NUM>% brix tC is acceptable.

The disclosed LS reaction products can also exhibit a variety of colors. The LS reaction products may exhibit greater than <NUM> absorbance at <NUM> wavelength, using the color index method. The LS reaction products may exhibit greater than <NUM> absorbance at <NUM> wavelength using the color index method. The color index method is a <NUM> to <NUM> dilution in deionized water of the product compared against a water blank at <NUM> wavelength absorbance.

Exemplary LS reaction products (LSRP) of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the following:.

The disclosed LS reaction products are useful to impart unique flavor and aroma to a variety of food and beverage products, which are not generally limited. The food product may be a ready-to-eat ("RTE") food product. The RTE food product may include= poultry, pork, or beef. The RTE foods may also include deli meats (e.g. turkey, roast beef, ham, chicken, salami, bologna, etc.) and hot dogs.

The food product may be a ready-to-cook ("RTC") food product. The RTC food product may include poultry, pork, and beef. The RTC food product may includeground beef and par-baked dough products, such as bread and rolls. The disclosed LS reaction products can be applied to soups, sauces, dressings, baked goods, sweets, snacks, and beverages.

Methods of applying the disclosed LS reaction products are not generally limited and include methods known in the art. Conventional manufacturing processes include, for example, drenching, atomization, and showering. The disclosed LS reaction products may be used to color and flavor food products by treating the food in a variety of ways. The application of LS reaction products may be done on individual items in batch or continuous modes by spraying on dipping. For large batches, an atomized cloud of liquid smoke may be used. In addition, sausages, bologna and hams may be processed in casings into which liquid smoke solutions have been incorporated.

Drenching is one example of an external application to meat products. In this method, a solution of <NUM>-<NUM>% LS reaction product in water could be used as the drenching solution. The drenching solution would be showered over the food surface, such as chicken breast or ham, at a constant rate. The rate of flow, dwell time, and concentration of the solution will determine the final color and flavor that is required by the producer. After the food product has been drenched, it is thermally processed to allow excess moisture to evaporate and allow the LS reaction product to bind to the outer protein surface. For example, following application of the LS reaction product, a treated food product may be baked in a convection oven for a duration of time, such as <NUM> minutes at <NUM>.

Once the food product has been thermally processed, it will be chilled and packaged. Packaging conditions of the treated food product may be one of vacuum, non-vacuum, and modified atmospheric conditions.

LS reaction products may also be used as a flavoring agent in natural or artificial casings and nettings. The LS reaction product would be added and set uniformly into the casings according to manufacturer's processes and specifications. The casings would then be used to create sausages, deli-style meats, or other applicable encased meat products.

LS reaction products may be blended into a ground and formed meat product to add flavor and color at a usage rate of, for example, <NUM> - <NUM>%. The LS reaction product may be added independently of other ingredients or maybe blended in along with wet ingredients in a standard food mixture until it is uniformly distributed into product.

In the examples presented below, various exemplary LS reaction products, conventional LS compositions and derivatives, as well as conventional reaction products were used for quantitative and qualitative tests. The results from these examples demonstrate the unique flavor and aroma profiles, color, and protein binding of the presently disclosed LS reaction products.

The depth of color of the disclosed LS reaction products was determined and compared with conventional alkaline or acidic LS compositions and conventional reaction flavors. To test the color imparted by these products quantitatively, a color index test that is common in the condensed natural smoke industry was used.

The color index test is carried out by diluting the test product in water, where <NUM> gram of test product is added to <NUM> of distilled water. The absorbance of this solution at a wavelength of <NUM> is then measured spectrophotometrically. The absorbance values are then multiplied by <NUM> to generate color index numbers. Distilled water is used as the standard for the test. A high color index indicates a darker color.

Table <NUM> provides an overview description of the products that were color tested.

Table <NUM> provides color index results for the six tested materials. As shown in Table <NUM>, the LS reaction product (LSRP <NUM>) is compared to alkaline and standard LS, as well as a conventional reaction flavor. Each treatment below in Table <NUM> was selected for its use in the food industry as a staining condensed natural smoke or reaction flavor. Zesti CODE <NUM> was selected to give context between standard LS solutions and the technology used to create dark liquid smoke (i.e., alkalization or reaction).

In Table <NUM>, the color index score of each treatment is listed next to the pH of test product at room temperature (<NUM>). As shown in the Table <NUM> data, LSRP <NUM>(LS reaction product) has the second highest color index rating, while still having an acidic pH. The other conventional LS compositions with comparable color ratings (Zesti BROWN DELI, Red Arrow RA14011, and Zesti BLACK DELI) have an alkaline pH greater than <NUM>.

On the other hand, the Table <NUM> data demonstrates that both Zesti CODE <NUM> and the conventional reaction flavor CRP <NUM>, which have acidic pH values, have less than a third of the color index score of the LS reaction product LSRP <NUM>. As demonstrated in Table <NUM>, the LS reaction product is unique for having both a low pH and a high color index score.

Color and protein binding were examined using Zesti BROWN DELI as an alkaline LS control, CRP <NUM> as a savory reaction control, and LSRP <NUM> as a LS reaction product. Color and protein binding were combined into one test due to a correlation between the amount of protein binding and the color imparted. Furthermore, if a treatment is very dark in water, but has no ability to stick to product, the functionality of that color greatly decreases.

Testing was conducted using pre-cooked, shaped, and formed deli turkey breast. The goal of this test was to examine how the LS reaction product dries and sets on a protein surface, compared with other conventional products.

All three test products were made into a <NUM>% dilution with water. Half of each treatment was drenched for <NUM> seconds to have direct comparison to an untreated product. All treatments were then baked in a convection oven for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>°F. All treatments were then lightly rinsed to remove excess drench fluid and vacuum packed for observation the next day.

Table <NUM> displays the results of each turkey breast treatment directly before cooking and after sitting overnight.

As shown in Table <NUM>, the exemplary LS reaction product LSRP <NUM> performed similarly to alkaline LS Zesti BROWN DELI, adhering to the protein surface and imparting a dark stable color to a meat surface. This result is in contrast to the reaction flavor CRP <NUM>, which had minimal protein adhesion and a large amount of runoff.

A further application test was conducted on raw chicken breasts. The goal of this test was to examine and compare the adhesion of the test products on raw meat and the freeze-thaw stability of the test products. These test used Zesti BROWN DELI as an alkaline LS control, CRP <NUM> as a savory reaction control, and LSRP <NUM> as a LS reaction product test.

All three test products were diluted to <NUM>% with water. Each treatment on the raw chicken breasts was drenched for <NUM> seconds. All treatments were placed on a labeled sheet pan and placed in a convection oven at <NUM>°F. Chicken breasts were cooked until they reached an internal temperature of <NUM>°F. The treatments were then cooled, lightly rinsed with water and evaluated for color, purge, and application adhesion. Finally, the chicken breasts were vacuum sealed, labeled, and frozen overnight. The following day the chicken breasts were thawed and evaluated for color, flavor, and application adhesion.

Observations from these tests are summarized in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>.

Table <NUM> uses an L*a*b* scale to quantify the color on each chicken breast at the end of the cook cycle. For this test, the most important factor is the L* value, which signifies the lightness of each sample. An L* value of <NUM> indicates complete blackness, <NUM> would indicate absolute whiteness. a* and b* indicate the color spectrum, where a* (red/green) and b* (blue/yellow).

As shown in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>, the LS reaction product LSRP <NUM> performed similarly to Zesti BROWN DELI in color formation, adhesion, and freeze thaw stability. The LS reaction product LSRP <NUM> greatly outperformed the reaction flavor CRP <NUM> in all measurable categories, most importantly being application adhesion, and stability. LSRP <NUM> also exhibited the lowest L* value of <NUM>, which indicates that it imparted the darkest color onto the meat surface.

The application tests in Examples <NUM> and <NUM> demonstrate the unique properties of the LS reaction products in terms of functionality in the food industry. As shown, the LS reaction products fit into a unique position of having the protein binding capabilities of a LS product, while also having the low flavor impact and versatility of a conventional reaction flavor.

The variability of flavor and aroma profiles was examined for exemplary LS reaction products. The tests and data show that differentiation of raw materials and reagent concentrations can produce variable and unique flavors, aromas, and colors, which may be tailored to fit many different flavor and aroma profiles.

Carbonyl and amino acid concentration are the two main drivers of the Maillard reactions in the disclosed LS reaction products. The impact of carbonyl and amino acid concentration on color and flavor was examined by changing the ratio of these active substrates. A range of carbonyl and amino acid concentrations were used for preparing LS reaction products, and all formulas were analyzed for flavor and color. The results demonstrate that these reactions can be customizable while still having desired functionality.

Table <NUM> provides results for six reactions A-F, which vary in carbonyl and amino acid content. All six of the reactions were carried out at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, each using Red Arrow RA95075 as the LS reactant and Lysine as the amino acid. The color index test reported in Table <NUM> is the same as described in Example <NUM>.

The data in Table <NUM> demonstrates that increasing the concentrations of LS or amino acid can change flavor from a light sweet roasted to a nuttier, bitter, burnt flavor. The data also shows that increasing the active reagents improves the color index of the products as they move closer to the equilibrium point of carbonyl and amino acid. Furthermore, once the equilibrium point is reached for the two reactants, there is less change in the color or flavor of the LS reaction product. This is demonstrated in treatments E and F, which have no difference in flavor or color.

The impact on flavor and aroma profile was examined when varying amino acid reactant and LS composition reactants. Table <NUM> shows results from combinations of two different LS composition reactants combined with <NUM> different amino acids. The LS composition reactants used in this example are Red Arrow RA97075 and Red Arrow RA <NUM>, which have chemical constituents as described below:.

All reactions took place for one hour at pH of <NUM> and <NUM>. The reactions were completed in sealed reaction vessels at standard pressure.

As demonstrated in Table <NUM>, the disclosed LS reaction products produce a variety of unique flavor and aroma profiles, not previously available from conventional reaction flavors and LS compositions.

Testing was conducted to demonstrate that carbonyls present in liquid smoke compositions act as reducing sugars and react with amino acids under reaction processes within the scope of the disclosure. In these experiments, three liquid smoke compositions were mixed with differing quantities and combinations of amino acids. The resulting reaction solutions were then placed in a sealed reaction vessel and heated for <NUM> hour at <NUM> under constant agitation. It was determined that no mass was lost or gained during the reactions and all possible products of the reactions were collected and analyzed using standard testing procedures. The results from the reactions are set forth in Tables <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

As demonstrated in Tables <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, carbonyls present in the liquid smoke compositions are taking place in a maillard reaction with the amino acid reactants, in the place of reducing sugars. If the carbonyls did not participate in a reaction with amino acids during the heated reaction process, then the carbonyl values would be unchanged and remain within <NUM>% based on standard lab error. The data shows that in all three tests the carbonyls were reduced by an average of <NUM>%. Additionally the pH, acidity, and Brix are all measurably different after the heated reaction process. These experiments thus additionally demonstrate that the reaction of the carbonyls in the liquid smoke compositions with the amino acids creates other biproducts that effect the pH and concentration.

Claim 1:
A process for preparing a liquid smoke reaction product, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a reaction solution comprising a liquid smoke composition and an amino acid; and
(b) heating the reaction solution to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes;
wherein the liquid smoke composition has:
(i) a titratable acidity level in a concentration of less than about <NUM>% weight per unit volume (w/v);
(ii) a carbonyl content of greater than about <NUM>% and up to about <NUM>% weight per unit volume (w/v);
(iii) a phenol content in a concentration of greater than about <NUM>/mL; and
(iv) a pH of less than about <NUM>.