US20210244078A1

US20210244078A1 - Unexpectedly enhanced pigments compositions and processes

Info

Publication number: US20210244078A1
Application number: US17/241,046
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Charles Raber; Braden Doane; Bradley J. Douglass
Original assignee: Scientific Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Scientific Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2017-06-13
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2021-08-12

Abstract

Better than expected or empirically predicted odorant blends which contain one or more pigments, where the pigment influences the perceived identity of the odorants origin, such as an origin that is apple, lime, or grape, or where the pigment influences the preference for or nature of the perceived aroma, or influences an odor-associated flavor that may be evoked by the odorant, such as that of fruitiness, sweetness, sourness, or bitterness.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/007,936, filed Jun. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/518,703, filed Jun. 13, 2017, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to consumables such as electronic cigarettes, candles, incense, perfumes, beverages, and snack foods. The disclosure provides colorants and odorants, and formulations thereof, where the colorant influences the perceived odor.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The color of a food and colorings added to a food are visual cues on taste and flavor. Greater color intensity can influence a subject's rating of a substance as having a greater intensity flavor and can also influence identification of the flavor. Color can also tip the balance between two different perceptions of odor or flavor, for example, the perceptions of sweet versus sour. Odors can modify behavior, generate emotions, and evoke memories. Color can influence odor perception as shown, for example, by aroma determination tests of wine. See, e.g., Morrot, G. et al. (2001) Brain and Language. 79:309-320. Regarding odor itself, odor testing can result in experimental data taking the form of reports of pleasantness, unpleasantness, intensity, and duration of memory of a given odor. See, e.g., Richardson, J. et al. (1989) Psychological Bulletin. 105:352-360. A variety of tests are available for assessing the influence of color on the perceptions of a given liquid, for example, where color influences the perception of “refreshingness” or the perception of “thirst-quenchability.” See, e.g., Zellner, D. A. et al. (2003) Am. J. Psychol. 116:633-647. Color can be a more influential cue than taste in the consumers' perception of flavor and, in this way, a coloring can contribute to the marketing of a given product. See, e.g., Tom, G. et al. (1987) Consumer Marketing, 4:23-27.
Food color influences perceived flavor intensity and identity. An example is oenophiles given white wine that has been colored red who described it with red wine flavor descriptors. A cause of decreased food intake that occurs with advancing age is loss of taste and smell acuity. The present disclosure provides compositions for use in flavor-amplified foods to improve nutritional status in elderly persons. Moreover, the present disclosure provides cannabis compositions, optionally with flavorings and colorings, to improve appetite.
The present disclosure provides compositions and formulations where a coloring is included, and where the particular color influenced the subject towards certain odor-perceptions and also influenced the same subject away from other odor-perceptions.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly stated, the present disclosure provides a formulation comprising a coloring and an odorant, wherein the odorant provides a perceivable odor to the formulation, and wherein the coloring provides a perceivable color to the formulation. Also provided, is the above formulation, wherein in the coloring in pure form does not have a perceivable odor, and wherein the odorant in purified form does not have a perceivable color.
In one embodiment described herein, a formulation is provided wherein the perceivable odor and/or flavor is representative of any fruit that is associated with a dominant color like the following fruit-color pairs: orange-orange, lemon-yellow, lime-green, or blueberry-blue. In one aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a coloring selected from the group consisting of violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and a combination thereof. In another aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a slurry, a paste, an oil, a powdered solid, a non-powdered solid, and a combination thereof.
In another embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises an odorant, wherein the odorant in purified form has a first odor, wherein the odorant in purified form mixed with a coloring in purified form has a second odor, and wherein the first odor is more intense than the second odor as determinable with perception tests with human subjects. In one aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises an odorant, wherein the odorant in purified form has an odor, wherein the odorant in purified form mixed with a coloring in purified form has the same odor, but wherein, the odorant mixed with a coloring is more recognizable and/or more enjoyable as determined via perception tests with human subjects. In another aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises an odorant, wherein the odorant in purified form has an odor that may be identified as smelling like a kind of fruit, wherein the odorant in purified form mixed with a coloring in purified form is more often identified as smelling like the fruit and is also perceived as more enjoyable to humans on average.
In yet another embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a flavorant, wherein the flavorant in purified form has a taste profile, wherein the flavorant in purified form mixed with a coloring in purified form has the same taste profile, but wherein, the flavorant mixed with a coloring is more recognizable and/or more enjoyable as determined via perception tests with human subjects. In one aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a flavorant, wherein the flavorant in purified form has an odor that may be identified as smelling like a kind of fruit, wherein the flavorant in purified form mixed with a coloring in purified form is more often identified as tasting like the fruit and is also perceived as more enjoyable to humans on average.
In one embodiment described herein, the formulation can be used in an electronic cigarette. In one aspect of the embodiment described herein the electronic cigarette emits a smoke, wherein the coloring is perceived as having a color in the smoke emitted by the electronic cigarette or the coloring is not perceived at coloring the smoke at all.
In another embodiment described herein, the formulation can be used in a beverage for human consumption. In yet another embodiment described herein, the formulation can be used in one or more of a skin lotion, perfume, and/or cosmetic. In yet another embodiment described herein, the formulation can be used in a confection, cake frosting, and/or candy. In one aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises at least one plant pigment and at least one cannabinoid. In another aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises at least one plant pigment and at least one terpene. In yet another aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises at least one non-plant pigment and at least one cannabinoid. In yet another aspect of an embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises at least one non-plant pigment and at least one terpene.
In one embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises D-Limonene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, linalool, beta-pinene, alpha-humulene, alpha-bisabolol, alpha-pinene, and terpinolene; optionally with orange pigment (Tangie). In one aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation does not comprise any caryophyllene-oxide. In another aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises an orange pigment, wherein the orange pigment acts by synesthesia to increase preference by a human subject of one or both of the odor or flavor of Tangie.
In another embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises D-Limonene, beta-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, alpha-bisabolol, alpha-pinene, and terpinolene; optionally with yellow pigment (Lemon Kush). In one aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation does not comprise any caryophyllene-oxide. In another aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a yellow pigment, wherein the yellow pigment acts by synesthesia to increase preference by a human subject of one or both of the odor or flavor of Lemon Kush.
In yet another embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises D-Limonene, beta-myrcene, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, alpha-humulene, linalool, alpha-bisabolol, caryophyllene-oxide, and terpinolene; optionally with green pigment (Lime Dream). In one aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a green pigment, wherein the green pigment acts by synesthesia to increase preference by a human subject of one or both of the odor or flavor of Lime Dream.
In yet another embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises beta-myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, D-Limonene, alpha-pinene, alpha-humulene, beta-pinene, linalool, alpha-bisabolol, terpinolene, caryophyllene-oxide, and terpinolene; optionally with blue pigment (Berry Cush). In one aspect of the embodiment described herein, the formulation comprises a blue pigment, wherein the blue pigment acts by synesthesia to increase preference by a human subject of one or both of the odor or flavor of Berry Cush.
The foregoing four examples represent specific embodiments of odorant and flavorant formulations that are representative of the specific fruit moniker used in the odorant and flavorant name (e.g. Lime Dream). These examples are not intended to restrict the general principle of pairing a flavorant or odorant formulation that is representative of a fruit that is associated with a dominant color.
The present disclosure provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette comprising a light emitting diode (LED) that produces a purple wavelength of light, wherein the formulation comprises about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape odor is greater than that for the same formulation without LED or with the LED turned off.
The present disclosure also provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulation comprises 0.05%-5% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape odor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0-0.03% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids. The present disclosure also provides a formulation comprising about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, about 24.5% cannabinoids, and guaiazulene in an amount selected from the group consisting of 0%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 2.0%, 5.0%, and 10% guaiazulene.
The present disclosure further provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulation comprises 0.05%-5% of one or more azulene compounds, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape odor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0%-0.03% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids.
Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulation comprises 0.05%-5% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape odor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0%-0.03% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids.
Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulations comprising 0.05%-5% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape flavor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0%-0.03% guaiazulene, about 10% terpenes, about 65% phytol, and about 24.5% cannabinoids.
Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulation comprises 0.01%-0.05% chamazulene, about 5% terpenes, and about 94.99% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape odor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0%-0.005% chamazulene, about 5% terpenes, and about 94.99% cannabinoids.
Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a formulation for use in an electronic cigarette, wherein the formulation comprises 0.01%- 0.05% chamazulene, about 5% terpenes, and about 94.99% cannabinoids, and wherein the perception of grape flavor is greater than that for a formulation comprising 0-0.005% chamazulene, about 5% terpenes, and about 94.99% cannabinoids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, including the appended claims, the singular forms of words such as “a,” “an,” and “the” include their corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Al references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, and published patent application, as well as figures and drawings in said publications and patent, documents, was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety are all serial numbers, patents, granted and issued overseas: Ser. No. 14/467,565 filed Aug. 25, 2014; PCT/US2014/056249 filed Sep. 18, 2014; U.S. Letters U.S. Pat. No. 9,732,009, issued Aug. 15, 2017; PCT2014/064860 filed Nov. 10, 2014; Ser. No. 15/014,716 filed Feb. 3, 2016; Ser. No. 15/097,197 filed Apr. 12, 2016; PCT/US16/44929 filed Jul. 30, 2016; Ser. No. 15/250,475 filed Aug. 29, 2016; 62/518,703 filed Jun. 13, 2017; Ser. No. 15/676,744 filed Aug. 14, 2017; 62/553,817 filed Sep. 2, 2017; 62/556,418 filed Sep. 9, 2017; Ser. No. 15/826,203 filed Nov. 29, 2017; PCT/US15/55272 filed Oct. 13, 2015; Ser. No. 14/882,018 filed Oct. 13, 2015; AU 2014 323 509 filed Sep. 18, 2014; CA 2,923,091 filed Sep. 18, 2014; IL Patent No. 244399, granted May 29, 2017; IN 201617007409 filed Sep. 18, 2014; RU 2016107794 filed Sep. 18, 2014; ES P201690015 filed Sep. 18, 2014; IL Patent No. 245469 granted May 29, 2017; IN 201617015721 filed Nov. 10, 2014; RU 2016117582 filed Nov. 10, 2014; ES Patent No. 2576464 issued May 19, 2017; AU 2015 333 703 filed Oct. 13, 2015; IL 251660 filed Oct. 13, 2015; IN 201717013784 filed Oct. 13, 2015; JP 2017-519651 filed Oct. 13, 2015; RU 2017112763 filed Oct. 13, 2015; ES 201790019 filed Oct. 13, 2015; UK 1707675.3 filed Oct. 13, 2015; CZ PV2017-259 filed Oct. 13, 2015; CA 2,994,266 filed Jul. 30, 2016; IL 257268 filed Jul. 30, 2016; Ser. No. 15/749,358 filed Jan. 31, 2018; AU 2018 201 704 filed Mar. 9, 2018.
The term “coloring” as used herein refers to a physical entity such as a chemical, molecule, metal ion, complex of metal ion. light-producing element, like a light-emitting diode (LED), and a molecule, composition comprising one or more of the above, composition consisting of one or more of the above, and the like, where the “coloring” is perceivable as having a color. Without implying any limitation, in some embodiments, a “coloring” in a relatively pure form or in a pure form, is perceivable as having a color, while in other embodiment, the “coloring” is perceivable as having a color only when subject to a specific environmental condition, such as an acid pH or a neutral pH. The color can be selected from the group consisting of violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and a combination thereof.
The term “odorant” as used herein refers to a chemical compound or a mixture of chemical compounds with a smell detectable by a human nose. The term “flavorant” as used herein refers to a flavor additive or multiple flavor additives that modify the flavor of a composition compared to if the flavorant was not present. The term “pigment” as used herein refers to a composition or compositions that can be identified or distinguished by names of chemicals and where the pigment is perceivable as having a color. The term “colorant” as used herein refers to a substance or a mixture of substances that is added to change the color of a composition.
In one embodiment described herein, the formulation may comprise one or more terpenes selected from the group consisting of alpha-bisabolol, borneol, camphene, camphor, beta-caryophyllene, delta-3-carene, caryophyllene oxide, alpha-cedrene, beta-eudesmol, fencholfenchyl alcohol, geraniol, guaiol, alpha-humulene, isoborneol, limonene, linalool, menthol, myrcene, nerol, nerolidol, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene, 4-thujanol, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, terpinolene, alpha-guaiene, elemene, farnesene, farnesol, germacrene B, guaia-1(10),11-diene, trans-2-pinanol, selina-3,7(11)-diene, eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol, valencene, and a mixture thereof.
In one embodiment described herein, the formulation may comprise one or more cannabinoids selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol propyl analogue (THCV), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiol propyl analogs (CBDV), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromene propyl analogs (CBCV), cannabigerol (CBG), their corresponding cannabinoid acid counterparts, and a mixture thereof.
In one embodiment, a formulation described herein may comprise carriers or diluting oils such as dipropylene glycol, coconut oil, and glucam P-20, propylene glycol, triacetin, vegetable glycerin are available from, e.g., Perfumers Apprentice (Scotts Valley, Calif.). Colorings and pigments are available from, e.g., American Colors, Inc., Sandusky, Ohio. Natural aroma chemicals, synthetic aroma chemicals, and essential oils and extracts are available from, for example, Vigon International, East Stroudsburg, Pa.. Violet-colored azulene compounds are disclosed by, e.g., Hayashi (1968) Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan. 41:2182-2183.
Standard color charts are available, for example, from Long, J. (2011) The New Munsell Student Color Set, 3rd ed. Fairchild Books; Centore, P. (2015) Controlling Colour With the Munsell System. ISBN-10:1632270129. The Munsell System is used in psychology experiments. See, e.g., Gilbert, A. N. et al. (1006) Cross-modal correspondence between vision and olfaction: the color of smells. Am. J. Psychology. 109:335-351.
Other standard color charts include: ROL Colors. The RAL system is a Central European Color Standard, and RAL color charts are available from Color Harzen. General chemical reagents, as well as colorings, solvents, and surfactants are available (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.; Fischer Chemicals, Fair Lawn, N.J.; Ceriliiant, Round Rock, Tex.; Promochem, Molsheim, France, Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, Mich.). Useful labels include 33P, 35S, 14C, 3H, stable isotopes, fluorescent dyes, or fluorettes. See, e.g., Rozinov and Nolan (1998) Chem. Biol. 5:713-728. Terpenes, cannabinoids, formulations, and methods for preparation and analysis are available from US2015/0080265 of Elzinga and Raber, US2015/0152018 of Raber and Elzinga, 2017/0021029 of Raber et al, and 2016/0151328 of Doane and Raber, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
The present disclosure provides compositions, reagents, and combinations of reagents, that act by way of synesthesia. Synesthesia encompasses, but is not limited to, a phenomenon where a stimulus in one sensory mode is interpreted in terms of some other sensory mode. For example, colors can bias odor judgments. Odor judgments include, and are not limited to, accuracy in odor identification. A synesthesia questionnaire can take the form of a paper that invokes a mood, such as angry, tired, proud, peaceful, surprised, excited, joyful, and so on, and where the subjected reports the evoked mood (e.g., yellow perceived as joyful, red as surprised, blue as peaceful). Also, the subject can be presented with an odor sample, and be asked to report the evoked color. Fragrances of the present disclosure can be dissolved in diethyl phthalate, where odor chemicals are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 80% of the amount of the composition. In one embodiment, the odor chemical are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 1%, 0.5% to 2.0%, 1.0% to 5.0%, 2.5% to 7.5%, 5% to 10%, 7.5% to 15%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 25%, 20% to 30%, 25% to 35%, 30% to 40%, 35% to 45%, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, 50% to 60%, 55% to 65%, 60% to 70%, 65% to 75%, or 70% to 80% of the amount of the composition. Alternatively, the odor chemical can be used at 100% strength. See, Gilbert, A. N. et al. (1996) Am. J. Psychology. 109:335-351; and Rader and Tellegen (1987) J. Personality and Social Psychology. 52:981-987.
The present disclosure provides compositions, formulations, solutions, and the like, can be used with an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). Apparatus and formulations for e-cigarettes are available. See, U .S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 of Chong and U.S. Pat. No. 8,997,753 of Li, which are incorporated herein in their entirety. In embodiments, the compositions, formulations, and solutions of the present disclosure can be converted to an aerosol, and in other embodiments, take the form of an aerosol.
The reagents and compositions of the present disclosure can be used in combination with, or can be contained within, one or more of the devices described herein. The devices include a moist towel in a tearable aluminum foil envelope; scented soft paper tissue, e.g., Kleenex®.; a cartridge that goes inside a bong, or water pipe, or hookah, where the composition supplements the flavor or medicinal effects of the marijuana smoke; an inhaler for people with asthma, where the composition is mixed with and supplements the anti-inflammatory drugs present in the inhaler; coaled porous particles and/or coated non-porous particles, wherein the particles have terpenes and cannabinoids soaked into the particles; mixed in a hangover treatment (not necessary medicinal); as part of a composition with capsaicin (chili pepper chemical) for use in treating pain, for topical application, for arthritis pain or as part of an existing arthritis pain topical cream; lip balm; and/or as a component of an oil-based cosmetic for skin.
DABS. Dabs are a means for consuming cannabis concentrates via vaporization and inhalation. A dab usually refers to a dose of concentrate that is heated on a hot surface, usually a nail, and then inhaled through a dab rig. Dabs are concentrated doses of cannabis that are made by extracting THC and other cannabinoids using a solvent such as butane or carbon dioxide, resulting in sticky oils commonly referred to as wax, shatter, budder, and/or butane hash oil (BHO). While it is possible to extract non-psychoactive compounds like CBD, THC is what is behind the potent effects of dabs, increasing efficiency in administration of medications. Terpenes or the aromatic oils that give cannabis flavor, can also be extracted. The present disclosure provides methods of use, methods of manufacture, and compositions and reagents for use with administration by way of dabs.
ECIG COMPONENTS. The present disclosure provides devices and methods for storing the compositions described herein inside of a vapor cartridge (ecig component) or other device or object. Devices and objects may be color coded to indicate flavor suggestions, and optionally also to indicate if it contains THC or CBD (or other cannabinoid). A non-limiting physical structure of the ecig includes: (1) chip/microcontroller for voltage regulation, run lights or vibration, flow cell monitoring; (2) LEDs/vibrating motor for visual and tactile feedback; (3) battery or other energy source to supply power; (4) a chamber to hold material to be vaporized, wherein the chamber can be of many shapes and materials; (5) mouthpiece; (6) heating element to vaporize the material, wherein the heating element can be made in many shapes and material; (7) 510 thread as a standardized linkage between cartridges of material and the battery/electronics. The chamber part (also known as a cartridge) is where the composition is held. Compositions could be placed in vapor cartridges that are transparent in their construction to allow seeing the composition. In a vapor cartridge it is intended to be smelled by the nose during exhale and tasted by the tongue on inhalation. In other uses, such as a dab, the user may intend to smell before inhalation or smell during exhalation, or both. The mode of delivery drives whether an aroma can be appreciated during the inhale, during the exhale, or both. The present disclosure provides methods of use, methods of manufacture, and compositions and reagents for use with administration by way of an ecig.
Methods for conducting odorant perception tests are also described herein. In one type of test subjects are instructed to describe the odor of various fruit solutions, some of which are inappropriately colored. Then, subjects are presented with a series of fruit solutions which vary in odor and color intensity and then asked to rank them in order of odor strength. See, Blackwell L (1995) Nutrition and Food Science. 95:24-28. In another type of test, an odorant is presented in one of 16 different dilutions. The odorant may or may not be colored. Also, a picture or photograph of a possible source of the odorant may or may not be shown to the subject, for example, a picture of a ham, cookie, or melon. The subject then identifies the odorant. See, Gudziol, V. and Hummel, T. (2009) Arch. Otoloaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 135:1431-1435. In other types of tests, stimulant delivery occurred via squeezable polyethylene bottles that could deliver odorized air directly into the nostril, or alternatively, into air located below the nostrils. See, Rabin, M. D. and Cain, W. S. (1986) Perception Psychophysics. 39:281-286.
Entourage compounds and entourage effects are encompassed by the present disclosure. The methods, compositions, reagents, and devices of the present disclosure encompass entourage effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, including entourage effects provided by terpenes. Interactions between phytocannabinoids and terpenoid compounds can act synergistically for treating pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, and addiction. Ben-Shabat, et al. provide an example of an entourage effect. 2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol is an endogenous ligand for both cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. The biological activity of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol can be increased by related 2-acyl-glycerols, which alone show little or no activity. This effect (entourage effect) enhances activity of cannabinoids. 2-linoleoyl-glycerol and 2-palmitoyl-glycerol are two esters that neither bind to cannabinoid receptors nor inhibit adenylyl cyclase via either CB1 or CB2, but they can potentiate the binding of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol. See, Ben-Shabat, et al. (1998) Eur. J. Pharmacol. 353:23-31. Huestis provides another example of entourage effect and entourage compounds. Ethanolamines such as palmitoylethanolamine or stearoylethanolamine do not bind to CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptors, but they potentiate activity of ligands of cannabinoid receptors. See, Huestis (2002) Forensic Sci. Rev. 14:15-60.
The method of conducting odor and flavor testing described herein, in general terms, involves asking subjects to identify a specific odor or flavor presented to them and then to tally the number of correct answers versus incorrect answers. In addition, the human subjects can be asked to rate the enjoyment of the flavor and or aroma of a product. To test for a synesthetic response, both of these tests can be done while exposing the subject to light from an LED that is emitting either a matched color (i.e. the dominant color associated with a fruit, e.g. lime with green) or a mismatched color (e.g. lime with red). In comparing the paired responses, one is able to discriminate the impact of the LED on both representative flavor/odor identification and overall enjoyment.
A method of conducting odor and flavor testing described herein, in specific terms, involves presenting a human subject with an unmarked e-cigarette containing a formulation consisting, by weight percentage, of 10% flavor/odorant formulation, 10% cannabidiol, and 80% phytol; wherein the composition of the flavorant/odorant blend varies as demonstrated in the examples that follow. As soon as the administrator of the experiment presents a cartridge to the subject, an LED light (ELlight brand 300 color LED controlled with the LED Hue iPhone app) is switched on to a specific color and maintained on that color until the subject verbally records flavor/aroma identification assessments and an overall enjoyment rating from 1-10 with 1 being the least enjoyment and 10 meaning the most enjoyment possible. Each subject is presented the same flavor twice—once with a matched color and once with a mismatched color. This allows for the measurement of the impact that the color from the LED has on the flavor identity assessments and overall enjoyment, in a relative way.
Table 1 illustrates mapping of dominant colors (i.e. matched colors) used in the experimental protocol described in the preceding paragraphs to the wavelength ranges of light emitted by LED.

TABLE 1

Colors, Wavelength Ranges & Associated Fruits

Color	Wavelength Range (nm)	Example Fruits

Red	620-750	Strawberry, Cherry, Red Apple
Orange	590-620	Orange, Mango, Peach
Yellow	570-590	Lemon, Banana, Pineapple
Green	495-570	Lime, Kiwi, Pear, Honeydew
Blue	450-495	Blueberry, Plum, Grape
Violet	380-450	Grape, Blackberry, Acai

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Strawberry Cough

Strawberry cough is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (27%) , beta-pinene (5%), beta-caryophyllene (17%), beta-myrcene (17%), linalool (6%), alpha-humulene (3%), alpha-bisabolol (2%), alpha-pinene (2%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises a compound found in strawberries, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of strawberries and of the cannabis strain strawberry cough. When matched with a red light 4 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a strawberry representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 6.4 out of 10. When mismatched with a yellow light only 1 out of 5 subjects reported strawberry aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 5.8.

Example 2

Tangie

Tangie is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (22%), beta-pinene (4%), beta-caryophyllene (17%), beta-myrcene (17%), linalool (7%), alpha-humulene (4%), alpha-bisabolol (2%), alpha-pinene (2%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises multiple compounds found in tangerines and other citrus fruit, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of tangerines/citrus and of the cannabis strain Tangie. When matched with an orange light 5 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a tangerine or citrus representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 7.6 out of 10. When mismatched with a purple light only 2 out of 5 subjects reported a tangerine or citrus aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 4.8.

Example 3

Lemon Kush

Lemon Kush is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (49%) , beta-pinene (9%), beta-caryophyllene (9%), beta-myrcene (9%), linalool (3%), alpha-humulene (2%), alpha-bisabolol (1%), alpha-pinene (1%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises multiple compounds found in lemons, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of lemons and of the cannabis strain Lemon Kush. When matched with a yellow light 4 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a lemon or citrus representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 4.8 out of 10. When mismatched with a purple light only 1 out of 5 subjects reported a citrus aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 5.0.

Example 4

Kiwi Kush

Kiwi Kush is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (12%) , beta-pinene (2%), beta-caryophyllene (19%), beta-myrcene (7%), linalool (3%), alpha-humulene (<1%), alpha-bisabolol (3%), alpha-pinene (1%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises multiple compounds found in kiwis, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of kiwis and of cannabis. When matched with a green light 3 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a kiwi representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 7.4 out of 10. When mismatched with a blue light only 2 out of 5 subjects reported a kiwi aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 6.6.

Example 5

Blueberry Flame

Blueberry Flame is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (25%) , beta-pinene (5%), beta-caryophyllene (16%), beta-myrcene (24%), linalool (5%), alpha-humulene (3%), alpha-bisabolol (1%), alpha-pinene (2%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises one compound found in blueberries, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of blueberries and of cannabis. When matched with a blue light 1 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a blueberry representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 4.2 out of 10. When mismatched with a red light 0 out of 5 subjects reported a blueberry aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 4.8.

Example 6

Grapeness

Grapeness is a flavor composition comprising the following compounds and weight percentages in parentheses: limonene (18%), beta-pinene (4%), beta-caryophyllene (13%), beta-myrcene (13%), linalool (5%), alpha-humulene (3%), alpha-bisabolol (2%), alpha-pinene (2%), terpinolene (<1%), and caryophyllene-oxide (<1%). This formula also comprises multiple compounds found in grapes, but not found in cannabis. As such, the taste and odor of the composition is both of grapes and of cannabis. When matched with a purple light 5 out of 5 subjects correctly identified the taste/odor as having a grape representative flavor with an overall enjoyment rating of 7.2 out of 10. When mismatched with an orange light 4 out of 5 subjects reported a grape aroma or flavor with an average enjoyment rating of 5.4.
In aggregate, the matched fruit flavors/aromas and dominant color light pairings highlighted in examples 1-6 resulted in an average of two more correct representative flavor assessments than incorrect. In contrast, the mismatched flavors resulted in an average of two more incorrect flavor assessments than correct. In addition, the matched fruit flavors/aromas and dominant color light pairings resulted in an average enjoyment score of 6 out of 10 across all flavors while the mismatched fruit flavors/aromas and dominant color light pairings resulted in an average enjoyment score of 5 out of 10.
The results of the raw data from the experiment that led to the data described in the six preceding examples is presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Cartridge & LED Color Pairing

Cartridge	LED						Avg.
Code	Color	Subject 1	Subject 2	Subject 3	Subject 4	Subject 5	Subjects

A	Yellow	Flavor Guess	Melony, Same Melon	Berry,		Lemon	Lemony
		Enjoyment Rating		7	5	8		5.8
B	Purple	Flavor Guess	Grape, Grapey			?	Grape, Grapey	0
		Enjoyment Rating	7	7		3	3	4.8
C	Green	Flavor Guess	Taste Green,	Citrusy & Piney	Kiwi Kush	?	Green fruit	−3
		Enjoyment Rating	7	7	6	2	3	5.0
D	Red	Flavor Guess	None, Blank	None	No flavor	Strawberry	No flavor	3
		Enjoyment Rating	1	0	2	6	1	2.0
E	Blue	Flavor Guess	Berry Flavor or	Kiwi	Blueberry	Berry	Kiwi	−1
		Enjoyment Rating	6	8	7	8	4	6.6
F	Red	Flavor Guess	Does not taste much	Strawberry, Sweet,	Strawberry Cough	?	Strawberry
		Enjoyment Rating	3	7		6	2
G	Orange	Flavor Guess	Citrusy & orange	Grapey but bitter &	Grapeness	Grape	Grape	3
		Enjoyment Rating	7			4	4	5.4
A	Red	Flavor Guess	Strawberry Taste,	Sweet & Berry,	Lemon Kush	Strawberry	Strawberry	3
		Enjoyment Rating	7			7	6	6.4
B	Orange	Flavor Guess	Orange, sweet,	Sweet, Citrusy,		Tangerine	Tangerine	5
		Enjoyment Rating	8		7	9	8	7.6
C	Yellow	Flavor Guess	Lemony	Terpentine, citrusy,	Lemon Kush	Bad	Lemon	3
		Enjoyment Rating	6	5	6	1	6	4.8
D	No Color	Flavor Guess	Flavorless, No Flavor	No Flavor	No Flavor	Nothing	No Flavor	5
		Enjoyment Rating	1	0	1	2	1	1.0
E	Green	Flavor Guess	Guava	Sweet & Fruity,	Strawberry Cough	Kiwi	Kiwi	1
		Enjoyment Rating	8	8	5	8	8	7.4
F	Blue	Flavor Guess	Doesn't Taste much,	Berry, Piney,	Lemon Kush	Pine-ish	Juniper Berry
		Enjoyment Rating	2	6				4.2
G	Purple	Flavor Guess	Grape & Berry	Berry, bitter,	Grapeness	Grape	Grape, Grapey	5
		Enjoyment Rating	8	6	7	8	7	7.2

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

Generally, the term pigment refers to compositions that can be identified or distinguished by names of chemicals and where the pigment is perceivable as having a color. The term color refers to what is perceived by a human subject. The color can also be determined by a spectrophotometer.
Potential Pigments can be selected from the group consisting of Guaiene sesquiterpenes, carotenoids, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, and diarylheptanoids. Guaiane sesquiterpenes—guaiazulene and vetriazulene, xanthophylls (bixins E160b, apocarotenal E160e, food orange 7 E160f, flavoxanthin E161 a, lutein E161 b cryptoxanthin E161c, rubixanthin E161d. violaxanthin E161e, rhodoxanthin E161f, canthaxanthin E161g, zeaxanthin E161f, citranaxanthin E161i, astaxanthin E161j). carotenes (lycopene E160d, beta-carotene E160a) diarylheptanoids (curcumin E100, curcumenoids), Antbocyanidins and anthocyanins, betanin (E162), carmine, chlorophyllin (E141) natural green 3.
Native Pigments can be selected from the group consisting of neoxanthin, violaxenthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, b-cryptoxanthin, b-carotene, chlorophyll a & b, and guaizulene.
Colors of Pigments: Guaiazulene can be used to color a clear extract shades of blue or yellow extract shades of yellow-green. Carotene and lutein can be used to color extracts orange. Lycopene can be used to color extracts orange-red. Curcumins can be used to color an extract bright yellow and make them fluoresce under UV radiation. Guaiazulene and curcumins together can make shades of green that fluoresce. Anthocyanins can make extracts many shades of purple, red and blue.
Smell of Pigments: The present disclosure demonstrates that the pigmentation of cannabis extracts does not lead to off flavors.
OFF-FLAVOR TESTING. Methods and equipment for detecting and quantifying off-flavors are available. See, for example. Marsili, R. G. (1999) SPME-MS-MVA as an Electronic Nose for the Study of Off-Flavors in Milk. J. Agric. Food Chem., 47:648-654; Wilkes, J. G. et al. (2000) Sample preparation for the analysis of flavors and off-flavors in foods. Journal of Chromatography A. 880:3-33; and Benanou, D. et al. (2003) Analysis of off-flavors in the aquatic environment by stir bar sorptive extraction—thermal desorption—capillary GC/MS/olfactometry. Analytical Bioanalytical Chem. 376:69-77.
Solubilities of Pigments: Anthocyanins are only soluble in dipropylene glycol (i.e. OBP), not in nexus or cannabinoids alone. Anthocyanins in OBP can be added to cannabinoids and terpenes to make red colored extracts. Guaiazulene is soluble in cannabinoids, terpenes, nexus, and obp and all useful combinations. Curcumins are soluble at necessary levels for full pigmentation of obp, nexus, and terpenes. Lutein and carotene are soluble in obp, nexus, terpenes, and cannabinoids.
Non-Chemical Pigment Influences: Pigments may be modified by use of light, lightwaves, ultrasonic waves, other sound wave, and wave influences. LED lights on apparatuses that may contain the pigments or be in touch with the pigments, being soluble in obp, nexus, terpenes or cannabinoids.
Preference Testing by Human Subjects
The present disclosure provides, without implying any limitation, protocol for testing preferences by human subjects. The protocol can require that human subject designate either preferred or not preferred. Another embodiment for protocol can require that the subject designate preference in terms of a scale, for example, a scale ranging from zero (least preferred) to ten (most preferred), where the scale takes the form of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Also, the scale can range from zero to two (0, 1, 2), or zero to three (0, 1, 2, 3), or zero to four (0, 1, 2, 3, 4), and the like. The process and composition of the present disclosure can exclude any composition, or can exclude any method that uses a composition, where the composition was not determined to be preferred by at least 50% of a population of human subjects (where preference was determined under controlled laboratory testing conditions).
In a preferred embodiment of the present composition and related methods, the composition can require preference by human subjects in a controlled laboratory testing environment, that a given composition be preferred (in tests given only the option of preferred versus not preferred), by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by at least 95% of the human subjects.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present composition and related methods, the composition can require preference by human subjects in a controlled laboratory testing environment, that a given composition be preferred (in tests giving the options of zero (least preferred), one, and two (most preferred)), that a preference value of “two” is designated by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by at least 95% of the human subjects.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present composition and related methods, the composition can require preference by human subjects in a controlled laboratory testing environment, that a given composition be preferred (in tests giving the options of zero (least preferred), one, two, and three (most preferred)), that a preference value of “two” is designated by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by at least 95% of the human subjects.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present composition and related methods, the composition can require preference by human subjects in a controlled laboratory testing environment, that a given composition be preferred (in tests giving the options of zero (least preferred), one, two, and three (most preferred)), that a preference value of “three” is designated by at least 20%, at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by at least 95% of the human subjects. This criterion optionally can be combined with the criterion set forth in the previous paragraph.
What can be excluded is any composition or method, where the composition was not determined to be preferred by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 99% of the human subjects. For these exclusionary embodiments, the term “preferred” can refer to tests that required either a yes/no preference level.
Alternatively, where tests require that subjects designate a preference on a scale of zero to three, or zero to four, or zero to five, and so on, what can be excluded are compositions and method, where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “two,” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “three,” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “four,” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “five,” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “six” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least a “seven,” or where at least 50% of the subjects did not designate at least an “eight,” and so on.
Certain embodiments described herein include the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the process and/or creating a composition. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. A skilled artisan may employ such variations as appropriate, and the methods described herein cab be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
While the present disclosure has been described in terms of its specific embodiments, certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. A device comprising:

(i) a chip/microcontroller;

(ii) a light emitting diode that emits a color;

(iii) an energy source and

(iv) a chamber to hold material to be vaporized;

wherein the device emits a vapor and wherein material in the chamber comprises an odorant blend comprising an odor and a flavor;

wherein

the odorant blend comprises at least 5 terpenes selected from the group consisting of limonene, beta-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, alpha-bisabolol, alpha-pinene, terpinolene, and caryophyllene-oxide; and

the color from the light emitting diode acts by synesthesia to increase perception of the identity or enjoyment of the odor or the flavor of the odorant blend by a human subject.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vapor emitted by the device is perceived as having a color.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material in the chamber is perceived as having a color.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the color of the light emitting diode increases perception of odor or flavor of the vapor by a human subject.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vapor has an odor.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vapor has a flavor.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the formulation further comprises at least one cannabinoid.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the formulation comprises 0% to 15% terpenes, and about 0% to 95% cannabinoids.

9. A device comprising:

(i) a chip/microcontroller;

(ii) a light emitting diode that emits a color;

(iii) an energy source; and

(iv) a chamber to hold material to be aerosolized;

wherein the device emits an aerosol, and wherein material in the chamber comprises an odorant blend comprising an odor and a flavor;

wherein

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol emitted by the device is perceived as having a color.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the material in the chamber is perceived as having a color.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the color of the light emitting diode increases perception of odor or flavor of the aerosol by a human subject.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol has an odor.

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol has a flavor.

15. The device according to claim 9, wherein the formulation further comprises at least one cannabinoid.

16. The device according to claim 9, wherein the formulation comprises 0% to 15% terpenes, and 0% to 95%cannabinoids.

17. A device comprising:

(i) a light emitting diode that emits a color;

(ii) a power source; and

(iv) a surface that heats to place material to be vaporized;

wherein the device emits a vapor and wherein material on the surface comprises an odorant blend comprising an odor and a flavor;

wherein

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the vapor emitted by the device is perceived as having a color.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the material on the surface is perceived as having a color.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the color of the light emitting diode increases perception of odor or flavor of the vapor by a human subject.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein the vapor has an odor.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein the vapor has a flavor.

23. The device according to claim 17, wherein the formulation further comprises at least one cannabinoid.

24. The device according to claim 17, wherein the formulation comprises 0% to 15% terpenes, and about 0% to 95% cannabinoids.