WO2010069743A1

WO2010069743A1 - Umami enhancing composition, food product comprising it and method to prepare the same

Info

Publication number: WO2010069743A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/066050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alphonsus Henricus Leonardus Cambeen; Nikolaos Mavroudis; Kerstin Wieland
Original assignee: Unilever Nv; Unilever Plc; Hindustan Unilever Limited
Priority date: 2008-12-19
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: AR074796A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel umami enhancing composition which is capable of enhancing the umami taste by at least 5 times. It comprises a glutamic acid to 5 'Adenosine- 5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio of at most 6, and a ratio of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5'AMP of at most 0.75.

Description

UMAMI ENHANCING COMPOSITION, FOOD PRODUCT COMPRISING IT AND METHOD TO PREPARE THE SAME

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umami enhancing composition for enhancing umami taste for use in foods, and to methods of preparing such compositions and foods.

Background of the Invention

Monosodium glutamate also known as MSG, Ve-tsin or E621 is a frequently used ingredient to add umami taste in foods.

Monosodium glutamate is a controversial additive. Many people claim health problems after eating MSG, on the other hand clinical studies give no reason for concern.

The tongue is sensitive to five tastes -- salt, sweet, bitter, sour, and "umami" in the Japanese language, the taste of glutamate. It should be noted that glutamate is often referred to as taste or flavour enhancer. Strictly speaking this is incorrect as the umami taste is a separate taste and is elicited when e.g. free glutamate activates glutamate receptors. Bound glutamate as part of a protein does not activate these receptors and does not elicit the umami-taste Therefore, the term flavour or taste enhancer will not be used to avoid confusion. Instead, the taste of glutamate will be described as umami taste.

Despite that MSG is considered safe by health authorities, many food manufacturers have increasingly adopted a strategy of placing additional prominent messages regarding MSG on food labels. As a result, food labels advertising "No added MSG" have become commonplace. One possible consequence of such labels is that they generate and reinforce beliefs that MSG is harmful and/or an unsafe ingredient. A recent study examined the impact of information specifying the addition of MSG to foods or not. The attitudes towards MSG were evaluated and found to be generally negative.

Ready to eat food products such as soups typically have about 2 to 3 g/kg MSG (2000 to 3000 ppm) . Concentrated food products that need to be diluted in water such as (dried) soup concentrates, (dried) sauce concentrates, bouillon cubes obviously have more MSG. The amount of MSG in concentrated food products is such that after the recommended dilution in the user instructions about 2000 to 3000 ppm MSG is obtained in the ready to eat food product.

To avoid mentioning MSG on the label EP 1 082 027 describes a clear tomato concentrate comprising hydrolysed proteins, amongst other glutamate. The clear tomato concentrate of EP 1 082 027 is produced by processing tomatoes so as to obtain two fractions, the serum and the pulp, where after the serum is further concentrated to a value of e.g. 80 Brix and then hydrolyzed or vice versa. Both acid and enzymatic hydrolysis are suggested in EP 1 082 027. The obtained clear tomato concentrate may subsequently be dried on a variety of materials. Production of tomato serum as such has been described in a variety of prior art documents, such as WO 03/101223 and WO 95/16363. The clear tomato concentrate obtainable by the method disclosed in EP 1 082 027 has several draw-backs. First of all, in spite of the fact that the tomato concentrate is described as clear, i.e. transparent or having low opacity, it is in fact red to dark red. It is noted that the serum in accordance with EP 1 082 027 has a lycopene level of about 5 ppm at a Brix value of 5, as described by WO 95/16363 to which EP 1 082 027 refers, such that after concentration to a Brix value of 60 or higher, the lycopene level must be 60 ppm or higher, thus giving a far more intense red colour than do fresh tomatoes, having a lycopene level of approximately 25, according to USDA. This problem becomes particularly evident when applying said concentrate at levels exceeding approximately 0.5 %, thus greatly reducing the applicability thereof in a whole range of products wherein redness is undesirable, e.g. in white soups such as cream soups, bouillons, such a chicken bouillons and beverages. Secondly, it was found that following the teachings of EP 1 082 027, concentrates are obtained that still possess tomato taste/flavour as well as tomato smell and giving a specific sour taste. Thus, these products are in fact unsuitable for application in substantial amounts, i.e. in amounts exceeding approximately 0.5 wt%, in non-tomato based products. Thirdly, EP 1 082 027 mentions that it solves the problem of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, which as described above is a non-existing syndrome.

WO2008/040611 describes a tomato extract with about 4 wt% of glutamate. This still may be viewed as a considerable amount of MSG. To minimise the amount of MSG in food products it would be desirable to provide an umami enhancing composition which, for example, is capable of enhancing the umami taste of glutamate 5 fold. Such a composition would enable to lower the amount of MSG by a factor 5. Such composition should preferably be applicable in a wide variety of food products acceptable to wide public such a vegetarians. It would also be desirable to provide a ready to eat food product whereby the level MSG could be decreased from the usual 2000 to 3000 ppm to far lower levels .

Summary of the invention Surprisingly, according to a first embodiment, the present invention provides an umami enhancing composition which is capable of enhancing the umami taste by at least 5 times, preferably by at least 7 times, preferably by at least 10 times, more preferably by at least 20 times and preferably at most 10 000 times.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an umami enhancing composition capable of enhancing the umami taste is provided said composition having a glutamic acid to 5 ' Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) a) a glutamic acid to 5 'Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) of at most 6; and b) a ratio (w/w) of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5'AMP of at most 0.75. Although, the applicants do not wish to be bound by theory it seemed that fractions obtained with less glutamic acid relative to 5'AMP appeared to have stronger umami taste enhancement. This is unexpected as in contrast to other 5' nucleotides such as 5'IMP (5' inosine-5' -monophosphate) and 5'GMP (guanosine-5' -monophoshpate) , 5'AMP is not known for strong umami enhancing properties. In fact, 5'AMP is avoided as it is common practice to convert 5'AMP in yeast extracts to 5'IMP (see US 4,303,680) .

Surprisingly, applicants have found that it was possible - according another embodiment of the invention - to provide ready to eat food products with very low levels of glutamic acid while maintaining an umami taste perception similar to products with normal levels of glutamic acid. In fact the examples show it is possible to decrease the level to at least 50 ppm glutamic acid in the ready to eat food product. This observation could not be attributed to the nucleotides 5'IMP and 5'GMP (guanosine-5' -monophoshpate) as these were not present above their respective taste threshold concentrations. Other embodiments and details of the invention are provided below.

Detailed description of the invention

Definitions

The term "umami enhancing composition" will be used to describe a composition which is capable of enhancing the umami taste. A composition may be considered capable of enhancing umami taste when it is ranked at least equal in umami taste compared to a MSG reference solution comprising 2g/L glutamic acid, while the umami enhancing composition (optionally after dilution) has less than 2g/L glutamic acid, the tasting carried out at about pH 5.4. Such MSG reference solution may contain 0.5 wt% NaCl, 0.05wt% of citric acid, and the desired amount of MSG in demineralised water, e.g. 2 g/L glutamic acid. For example, if a composition X with 0. 5 g/L glutamic acid is ranked at least equal in umami taste compared to a MSG reference solution comprising 2 g/L glutamic acid, composition X is considered to enhance the umami taste at least four fold. For an optimal resolving power, the umami enhancing composition may diluted so it can be compared to various MSG reference solutions e.g. like those used in the examples having 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 g/L glutamic acid, respectively. In addition for the ranking test, 0.5 wt% of NaCl may be added to the umami enhancing composition (diluted or not) for an optimal resolving power .

The term "plant extract" will be used to describe the part of the plant from which insoluble matter such as skins, seeds, insoluble fibers has been removed. Example of a plant extract is for example tomato serum or a fruit juice. The term "fraction' will be used to describe part of a plant extract obtainable after fractionation. The term tomato sugar (s) will be used to describe the combined amount of tomato glucose and fructose. Preferably these are measured as described in the examples. The term "tomato fraction" will be used to describe a fraction obtainable after a fractionation step using a tomato extract as a feed. The term "tomato extract" will be used to denote a composition extracted from tomatoes such as tomato serum. The term "primary tomato fraction" will be used to describe a tomato fraction obtained after one fractionation step. The term "secondary tomato fraction" will be used to describe a tomato fraction obtained after fractionating a primary tomato fraction. The term "tomato fraction" will be used to refer to a primary or a secondary tomato fraction or both. When the term "first" and "second" is used to distinguish e.g. a first primary fraction from a second primary fraction, these terms are meant to distinguish these primary fractions from each other and not meant to describe the order of elution of these fractions. However, in some preferred embodiments, the terms "first" and "second" can describe the order of elution (e.g. in the examples) . Although, the inventive tomato fraction will not have a characteristic tomato smell it usually will have trace amounts of some aroma and phenolic compounds that survive the process to obtain said tomato fraction such as the separation, fractionation steps. A tomato fraction will usually have amounts of GABA, proline and potassium. Preferably a tomato fraction will have at least 0.05 wt% of the combined amount of GABA and proline and preferably, at least 0.1 wt% of potassium by dry weight of the tomato fraction. It is understood that when a "combined amount" is described it does not mean that all components need to be present. In the case of a "combined amount of GABA and proline" e.g. in some cases proline may be absent . It will be appreciated by the skilled person that glutamic acid and glutamate refer to the protonated acid and the deprotonated solubilised form of the same acid, respectively. In addition, glutamate is commonly used to refer to salts of the free acid. For the sake of convenience the term glutamic acid is used herein to refer to both the free protonated acid and the deprotonated form either in solution or as a salt, unless indicated otherwise. Thus, to calculate the amount of glutamic acid in the tomato extract, all glutamate therein is assumed be in the form of glutamic acid.

Some of the features are expressed as ratio's e.g. a fructose to glucose ratio. In a preferred embodiment, the level of fructose and glucose will be both 0. In that event the ratio will be considered to be 0. The term "Brix value" which is considered to be synonymous to the term Degrees Brix (symbol ⁰Bx) is a measurement of the amount of dry matter. It is a measure of the percent total soluble solids in a given weight of plant juice, which includes the summation of sucrose glucose, fructose, vitamins, amino acids, protein, hormones and any other soluble solids. It is often expressed as the percentage of sucrose. It is measured with a saccharimeter that measures specific gravity of a liquid or more easily with a refractometer or a Brix hydrometer. The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Typically the umami enhancing composition is colourless, in particular devoid of the characteristic redness of tomatoes, to such a degree that it does not impart perceptible redness when applied in umami enhancing quantities in a foodstuff or beverage, which means that the umami enhancing composition preferably has a b* value of less than 8 at a Brix level of 1, more preferably it has a b* value of less than 5 at said Brix value, more preferably a b* value of less than 2 at said Brix value and most preferably it has an b* value of less than 0. As is known by the skilled person, L*, a*, and b* values are each spectral variables in the CIELAB colourspace (full name is CIE 1976 L*, a*, b*), expressing colour values in a rectangular coordinate system, with the L*, a*, and b* values each corresponding to one dimension of the three dimensions forming the rectangular coordinate system. The L* value characterizes the lightness/darkness aspect of the colour of the region along an axis ranging from black to white, with corresponding values ranging from 0 to 100. The a* value characterizes the colour of the region along an axis ranging from green to red, with positive values corresponding to red and negative values corresponding to green. The b* value characterizes the colour of the region along an axis ranging from blue to yellow, with positive values corresponding to yellow and negative values corresponding to blue. Together, the a* value and the b* value express the hue and chroma of the region. The zero point in the plane defined by the a* values and the b* values corresponds to a neutral grey colour having a L* value corresponding to the intersection of the plane with the L* axis. A CIELAB of 50, 75, 5, for example, is typical for red, while a CIELAB of 50, -75, 5 is typical for green. A yellow sample would perhaps have CIELAB of 70, 0, 80. Two samples that are the same color and change only in lightness would be, for example, 50, 50, 50 and 70, 50, 50. Suitable measuring devices include colorimeters and spectrophotometers as is known by the skilled person. References to colour reduction in the context of tomato extracts, are to be understood as meaning that, the visible colour, expressed in terms of L*, a*, and/or b*values, exhibited by the reduced colour tomato extract is reduced relative to the visible colour, expressed in terms of L*, a*, and/or b*values, exhibited by the starting material. The term food product will be used to describe a ready to eat food product or a concentrated food product.

The term "ready to eat food product" will be used to describe food products in the state where they are consumed. This is to distinguish ready to eat food products from concentrated food products like concentrated (dried) soups/sauces, concentrated (dried) bouillon products where the concentrated food product needs to be diluted before consumption .

Umami enhancing composition

According to a first aspect of the invention an umami enhancing composition for use in foods is provided, comprising a) a glutamic acid to 5 Αdenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) of at most 6, preferably at most 2, more preferably at most 1, more preferably at most 0.8, preferably more than 0, more preferably at least 0.000001, more preferably at least 0.0001, most preferably at least 0.05; and b) a ratio (w/w) of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5' AMP of at most 0.75, preferably at most 0.4, preferably at most 0.3, preferably at most 0.2, preferably at least 0, more preferably at least 0.00001, more preferably at least 0.0001. Surprisingly, applicants have found an umami enhancing composition which can be used to enhance the umami taste by up to fourty times. Our examples show an umami enhancing composition while containing 0.05 g of MSG is ranked equivalent in umami taste to a references solution containing 2g of MSG. Without wishing to be bound by theory applicants believe that the presence of certain compounds in certain ratios causes this effect. More in particular, applicants believe, that amongst others, glutamic acid to 5 'Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) is important.

According to another preferred embodiment, an umami enhancing composition is provided said composition a) being capable of passing an ultra filtration membrane having a molecular weight cut off of 250 kDa, b) being substantially free from lycopene, c) containing a compound of less than 250 kDa, and d) capable of enhancing the umami taste by at least 5 times. Preferably, said umami enhancing composition has glutamic acid to 5 ' Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) and ratio (w/w) of (5' IMP+5'GMP) to 5'AMP as described above.

The nucleotide can be measured by methods know in the art such as described in "Separation of ribonuclueotides by capillary electrophoresis with multifunctional electrophoretic media of phosphate ammonium salts", Wang and Fong Yau Li, Journal of Chromatography A. 779 (1997) 215 -225; "Perspectives on analyses of nucleic acid constituents: the basis of genomics", Brown et al . , J. of Cromatography A. 965 (2002) 163 -173; in D.N. Heiger, ,,High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis", An Introduction, Hewlett Packard (Waldbronn, Germany 1993; J. Vindevogel, P. Sandra in: Chromatographic Methods, introduction to Micellar Elektrokinetic Chromatography", Huthig Verlag, Heidelberg (1992; F. W. Thiel, Rechentafeln fur die chemische Analytik / Kuster, 103., bearb. Aufl., Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin New York (1985. The most preferred method is described in the examples. The umami enhancing composition may be a liquid extract, preferably a plant extract, which may be obtainable from the process as described below. The umami enhancing composition is preferably not obtained from meat, so it can be used in food products acceptable to all vegetarians. The umami enhancing composition should be food grade as it is preferably suitable for use in food products for human consumption.

The umami enhancing composition may comprise surprisingly low levels of glutamic acid of at most 2 wt%, preferably at most 0.9 wt%, more preferably at most 0.1 wt%, preferably at least 0.000001 wt%, more preferably at least 0.00001 wt%, more preferably at least 0.0001 wt% of glutamic acid by weight of total umami enhancing composition based on dry weights.

The umami enhancing composition may comprise a w/w ratio of glutamic acid to citric acid (Glut/C) of at most 0.6, preferably at most 0.4, preferably at most 0.2, and preferably at least 0.0000001, more preferably at least 0.000001, more preferably at least 0.00001, more preferably at least 0.0001, most preferably 0.

The umami enhancing composition may comprise a w/w ratio of fructose to glucose a w/w ratio of fructose to glucose of less than 1:1, preferably less than 0.75:1, more preferably less than 0.5:1, even more preferably less than 0.4:1, most preferably less than 0.2:1, and preferably at least 0:1 more preferably at least 0.0001:1, most preferably 0:0.

The umami enhancing composition may comprise aspartic acid in an amount of at least 0.1 wt%, preferably at least 5 wt%, preferably at least 10 wt%, more preferably at least 15 wt% and preferably less than 70 wt%, more preferably less than 60 wt%, even more preferably less than 50 wt% of aspartic acid, by weight of the total umami enhancing composition, based on dry weights .

The umami enhancing composition may comprise less than 10 wt%, preferably less than 7 wt%, more preferably less than 5 wt%, preferably more than 0.001 wt%, more preferably 0 wt% or more, most preferably 0 wt% of fructose, by weight of the total umami enhancing composition, based on dry weights.

The umami enhancing composition may comprise less than 10 wt%, preferably less than 7 wt%, more preferably less than 5 wt% glucose, preferably more than 0.001 wt%, more preferably 0 wt% or more, most preferably 0 wt% of glucose; by weight of the total umami enhancing composition, based on dry weights.

The umami enhancing composition is preferably an umami enhancing tomato fraction. Moreover, applicants have found a process to prepare an such tomato fraction as described below. Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, a process is provided comprising a step of separating tomato serum in at least one portion low in lycopene and fractionating said portion by applying at least two consecutive fractionation steps .

Preferably, the umami enhancing composition or umami enhancing composition is capable of eluting from a cation exclusion resin in the potassium form at 65 degrees Celsius using demineralised water as eluent, preferably using as eluent a particle free tomato serum as described below.

Although in one especially preferred embodiment, the umami enhancing composition is an umami enhancing tomato fraction, a person skilled in the art applying the teaching of this application may carry out the present invention without departing from it by using other plant extracts such as onions, carrots, peas and corn.

In a preferred embodiment, the umami enhancing composition according to the invention is substantially free from lycopene. An umami enhancing composition substantially free from lycopene may be advantageously used in various food applications unlike tomato fractions with a characteristic tomato colour.

The umami active fraction may be concentrated as described above for the feed, or even dehydrated preferably such that a dry powder is obtained. Any method known in the art may be used such as spray drying. An umami enhancing composition in the form of a dry powder can be used in dried concentrated products like soups and bouillons. Thus, according to yet another embodiment of the invention, an umami enhancing composition is provided in the form of a dry powder.

The inventive umami enhancing composition is preferably used in a sufficient amount in a food product to obtain the desired umami enhancing effect. Thus, according a further aspect of the invention a method is provided for adding umami taste to a food product comprising the step of mixing the food product with an umami enhancing composition, respectively umami active fraction according to the invention, preferably in a sufficient amount as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided to prepare a food product whereby at least part of the glutamic acid has been decreased comprising the step of replacing at least part of the glutamic acid by a sufficient amount of umami enhancing composition, respectively umami active fraction (according to the invention) while maintaining the same umami taste.

Since lowering the amount of glutamic acid may result in less MSG, and thus decreased amounts of sodium in the food product, according to yet another aspect of the invention a method is provided for lowering the amount of sodium in a food product containing MSG comprising the step of replacing at least part of the MSG by a sufficient amount of umami enhancing composition, respectively umami active fraction (according to the invention) while maintaining the same umami taste.

According to another aspect of the invention a food product is provided comprising a sufficient amount of an inventive umami enhancing composition, preferably a sufficient amount of the inventive umami enhancing composition is at least 0.00001 wt%, preferably at least 0.0001 wt%, more preferably at least 0.001 wt% and preferably at most 40 wt%, more preferably at most 30 wt%, most preferably at most 20 wt% based on the total weight of the food product, based on dry weights of the umami enhancing composition and the food product. Although it is preferred to use the inventive umami enhancing composition instead of adding MSG, in some cases it may be combined. Especially preferred food products include tomato ketchup, sauces (e.g. tomato, pasta sauce), (salad) dressings, soups, meals, side dishes, cooking aids, beverages, and fruit and vegetable concentrates.

Cooking aids include bouillon products in any format such a granular, pasty, jelly, compressed (e.g. in cubes with or without a semi solid core) . Fruit and vegetable concentrates include those concentrates based on vegetables and/or fruits. Food products comprising the inventive umami enhancing composition typically have at least an equivalent umami taste perception when compared to a solution comprising a higher concentration of glutamic acid, in absence of the umami enhancing composition.

The food product may be a ready to eat food product or a concentrated food product. According to yet another aspect of the invention a ready to eat food product is provided comprising a) a glutamic acid to 5 ' Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) and a ratio (w/w) of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5' AMP as described above; b) 5'AMP in an amount of at least 1 ppm, preferably at least 5 ppm, more preferably at least 10 ppm and preferably less than 700 ppm, more preferably less than 600 ppm, more preferably less than 500 ppm, more preferably less than 400 ppm, more preferably less than 300 ppm.

Preferably, said ready to eat food product may comprise a) glutamic acid in an amount of at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.01 ppm, more preferably at least 0.1 ppm and preferably less than 400 ppm, more preferably less than 300 ppm, more preferably less than 200 ppm, more preferably less than 100 ppm. b) preferably a combined amount of IMP and GMP in an amount of at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.01 ppm, more preferably at least 0.1 ppm and preferably less than 30 ppm, more preferably less than 25 ppm, more preferably less than 20 ppm; c) preferably NaCl in an amount of at least 0.001 wt%, preferably at least 0.01 wt%, more preferably at least 0.1 wt% and preferably less than 4 wt%, more preferably less than 3 wt%, more preferably less than 2 wt%; d) preferably an edible acid in an amount of at least 0.001 wt%, preferably at least 0.01 wt%, more preferably at least 0.1 wt% and preferably less than 4 wt%, more preferably less than 3 wt%, more preferably less than 2 wt%, (preferably the edible acid comprises an acid selected from citric acid, malic acid, and mixtures) thereof all amounts by weight of the total food product; e) said food product preferably having a pH of between 3 and 7, more preferably between 4 and 6.

According still another aspect of the invention a method is disclosed for providing a ready to eat food product as described above comprising the steps a) providing a concentrated food product, preferably with the weight ratio's as described above; b) instructing the user to prepare the concentrated food product such that the ready to eat food product as described above is obtained.

According still another aspect of the invention a concentrated food product is provided which after dilution by 1 to 100 times results in a ready to eat food product as described above.

Process

According to this aspect of the invention a method of producing an umami enhancing composition is provided comprising the steps of a) providing a tomato serum, preferably substantially free from sucrose; b) separating the serum into two or more portions: at least one first portion and at least one second portion whereby the at least one first portion is lower in lycopene than the at least one second portion; c) concentrating the at least one first portion low in lycopene, preferably to a Brix value of at least 10, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 30 and preferably at most 80, more preferably at most 60, even more preferably at most 50 degrees Brix; d) fractionating the concentrated at least one first portion obtained in step c) into at least one first primary fraction and at least one second primary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid of the at least one first primary fraction is higher than the at least one second primary fraction, preferably the at least one second primary fraction has w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid, preferably at most 1.25, preferably at most 0.7, more preferably at most 0.5; e) optionally, concentrating a primary fraction to be used as the feed for a second fractionation step, preferably to a Brix value of at least 10, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 30 and preferably at most 80, more preferably at most 60, even more preferably at most 50 degrees Brix; f) subjecting a primary fraction, preferably the concentrated primary fraction of step e) , to a second fractionation step to prepare at least one first secondary fraction and at least one second secondary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of glutamic acid to 5 ' Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) of the at least one second secondary fraction is higher than the at least one first secondary fraction and preferably said ratio of the at least one first secondary fraction is at least 0, preferably less than 0.0001, more preferably 0.

Preferably, in step f, the at least one second secondary fraction is an umami enhancing composition as described above. Prior to providing the serum, tomatoes are typically collected, washed, sorted and selected in accordance with the usual practice in tomato processing. These steps are not an essential aspect of the invention and any feasible type of operation may be applied with regard to pre-treatment without departing from the scope of the invention.

Typically, the step of providing a tomato serum comprises a stage of comminuting and/or macerating tomatoes, which in accordance with the invention, is meant to encompass any type of process that can be employed to disintegrate or break the tomatoes, typically, in order to obtain a pumpable mass. The comminuting or macerating may be continued until the particle size in the pumpable mass is reduced to certain predetermined dimensions. In order to achieve this, any type of operation and/or apparatus known to or conceivable for the skilled person may be used in accordance with the invention. According to a preferred embodiment a chopper pump is employed, wherein the tomatoes are pressed through square holes, typically 1-2 cm in diameter. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the step of providing the serum comprises the stage of applying heat prior to, during or after the comminuting and/or macerating of the tomatoes. If the amount of heat applied is such that the tomatoes reach a temperature of above 8O⁰C, the process is generally referred to as hot break. Hot break has the advantage that enzymes, e.g. pectin-degrading enzymes, are inactivated quickly.

The tomato serum used is preferably substantially free from sucrose. For this purpose the term substantially free from sucrose is meant to describe a level of less than 5 wt%, more preferably less than 3 wt%, most preferably less than 2 wt% of sucrose by weight of the tomato serum based on dry matter. After having obtained a pumpable mass, in a separation step said pumpable mass is separated into serum - an aqueous liquid comprising soluble tomato solids - and pulp, a (wet) solid mass containing mainly insoluble tomato components such as the skin and seeds. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention seeds and skin may be removed from the pumpable mass, typically by sieving using perforated screens or the like in accordance with common tomato processing, prior to said separation. Separation of the pumpable mass into serum and pulp can be effected by any means known in the art, in particular using a decanter or a centrifugal separator. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a centrifugal separator is employed, such as a Westfalia CA-365-010 at a revolution speed of 4000 rpm and/or an Alfa Laval Centrifuge. In the context of the invention the pulp obtained is considered to constitute a waste material, but it may be used in accordance with conventional tomato processing, for a variety of purposes known by the skilled person. Performing the separation in two or even more steps may be preferred. However, as will be clear to the skilled person, separation in one single step, though less convenient, may be found just as suitable and may be applied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Optionally, the obtained serum may be clarified by micro filtration, so as to assure that said serum is free of any undissolved solids remaining, which may typically present problems during further process steps. Typically the additional micro filtration step comprises forcing the serum through a microfilter having a pore size within the range of 0.2-100 micron, preferably within the range of 2-50 micron, most preferably within the range of 3-30 micron (endpoints included in the range) . In a further step, the obtained serum, if desired after the micro-filtration step described supra, is separated into two or more portions: at least one first portion and at least one second portion whereby the at least one first portion is lower in lycopene than the at least one second portion.

The serum used as starting material for this separation step is preferably undiluted or even more preferably concentrated. Concentration may be carried out until a specific predefined Brix level has been reached. For example, the solution may be concentrated by removing at least part of the water content e.g. under reduced pressure and/or increased temperature, such as to increase the rate of water evaporation. As will be understood by the skilled person, applying reduced pressure can suitably reduce thermal damage to the product as lower temperatures can be used, thus improving the quality of the obtained product. Preferably the concentration is performed using a falling film evaporator or plate evaporator, although entirely different systems are available and can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Surprisingly, applicants have found that concentrating the solution used as the feed for the separation step or a fractionation step was especially advantageous by rendering the process more robust and cost effective. Thus, the feed for the separation step, the first fractionation step and the second fractionation step is preferably concentrated until having a Brix value of at least 10, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 30 and preferably at most 80, more preferably at most 60, even more preferably at most 50 degrees Brix.

The separation step preferably comprises ultra-filtrating the serum through a membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 250 kDa, more preferably 200 kDa, even more preferably 100 kDa, most preferably 50 kDa. For the ultra filtration any suitable membrane may be used known to the skilled person in the art for this purpose. Typically, ultra filtration membranes are meant to describe membranes which can remove particles of 0.001 - 0.02 micron. A suitable membrane is an Alfa-Laval polysulphone membrane with 10OkDa molecular weight cut-off (GR40PP) . If ultra filtration is used, the at least one second portion is preferably the retentate of the ultra filtration step having a level of lycopene higher than the at least one first portion, the latter being the permeate. The at least one first portion of that separation step, e.g. the ultra filtration permeate is preferably substantially free from lycopene. In fact, all tomato fractions according to the invention are preferably substantially free from lycopene. Substantially free from lycopene in this respect means that the lycopene level is below 3 ppm, more preferably below 1 ppm, most preferably it is below 0.5 ppm, preferably at least 0 ppm, preferably 0 ppm based on the wet weight thereof.

In a preferred subsequent step, the at least one first portion obtained after the first separation step may then be concentrated as described above.

The at least one first portion obtained from the separation step, in case of ultra filtration the ultra filtration permeate, preferably after having been concentrated to e.g. 40 Brix, is then used as a feed for a chromatographic fractionation. This fractionation step is preferably carried out by passing the feed through the chromatographic separation medium and eluting the feed components from the medium with a suitable eluent, thereby achieving fractionation of the feed into at least one first primary fraction and at least one second primary fraction.

Any suitable method may be used for the fractionation step. Fractionation is preferably achieved by using ion exclusion chromatography whereby the chromatographic separation medium is an ion exclusion resin. Another fractionation technique includes electrodialysis .

Applicants have found that the fractionation is more robust and cost-effective when it is carried out at elevated temperatures. Fractionation, e.g. when ion exclusion chromatography is used, is preferably carried out at a temperature of at least 40 degrees C, preferably at least 50 degrees C, more preferably at least 60 degrees C, preferably at most 105 degrees C, preferably at most 95 degrees C, preferably at most 85 degrees C, most preferably at most 75 degrees C.

The at least one first portion obtained from the separation step used as a feed for the first fractionation step preferably comprises of more than 5 g/L of potassium, preferably more than 10 g/L of potassium, more preferably more than 15 g/L of potassium by weight of said first portion.

Any appropriate solution may be used as eluent for the fractionation but demineralised water is preferred. More preferred is water purified by for example reverse osmosis (e.g. MiIIiQ) . Even more preferred as eluent used in the fractionation is particle free eluent or even more preferred particle free tomato serum of at most 10 degrees Brix, more preferably to at most 5 degrees Brix, even more preferably to at most 3 degrees Brix, preferably at least 0.01 degrees Brix, more preferably at least 0.05 degrees Brix. The desired Brix level may be obtained by concentration or dilution with demineralised water. In terms of particle size distribution, "particle free eluent" or "particle free tomato serum" is usually meant to describe eluent, respectively tomato serum comprising at most 40 vol%, preferably at most 30 vol%, more preferably at most 20 vo1% and preferably at least 0 vol% of particles of larger than 2 micron. Particle free tomato serum may be prepared using any suitable means known to the skilled person such as micro filtration, high speed centrifugation or ultra filtration. Volume size distribution is routinely measured e.g. using a Mastersizer.

Suitable ion exclusion resins include DIAION™ UBK-530, UBK-535, UBK-550, and UBK-555 (each of which is produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) . Especially preferred is UBK- 530, a strong acid cation exchange resin containing, as a base material, polystyrene-divinyl benzene gel (produced by MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORP.; K+-type; average particle size: 200 to 240 μm; exchange capacity: 1.6 meq/ml) . The eluting solution is preferably demineralised water.

Another fractionation technique, especially for the first fractionation step, includes electrodialysis . Electrodialysis is an electro-membrane process where transport of ions takes place through ion exchange membranes from one solution to another under the influence of an electric potential. Ion- exchange membranes resemble highly swollen ion-exchange resins in a sheet format. In conventional electrodialysis two different kinds on ion-exchange membranes are used:

• Cation exchange membranes which contain negatively charged groups fixed to the polymer matrix

• Anion exchange membrane which contain positively charged groups fixed to the polymer matrix Mobile ions in solution that have the same charge as the fixed groups in the membrane are referred as co-ions and mobile ions that have the opposite charge as the fixed groups in the membrane are referred as counter ions. In electrodialysis it is assumed that the total current through the membrane is transported by ions only. Under the influence of an electric field the mobile ions in solution travel to the respective electrodes. Co-ions are rejected by membranes and counter ions pass through the membranes. Generally guided by the teaching of this application, a skilled person will be able to choose the conditions and membranes for electro dialysis to obtain the inventive tomato fraction. More specifically, the membranes should preferably be permeable for negatively charged organic molecules having the molecular weight of 250, more preferably 225, more preferably 200. Most preferably, the membrane should be permeable for citric acid (192) .

The primary fractions resulting from a first fractionation step may vary in composition depending on when they are collected. Preferably, first fractionation step comprises fractionating the concentrated at least one first portion relatively low in lycopene into at least one first primary fraction and at least one second primary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid of the at least one first primary fraction is higher than the at least one second primary fraction, more preferably the at least one second primary fraction has w/w w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid, preferably at most 1.25, preferably at most 0.7, more preferably at most 0.5.

According to one preferred embodiment, the at least one second primary fraction has a fructose to glutamic acid ratio lower than the at least one first portion low in lycopene used as the feed for the first fractionation step.

According to one preferred embodiment, the at least one second primary fraction is used as the feed for the second fractionation step and has a potassium to glutamic acid ratio of less than 2, at most 1.5, preferably at most 1, more preferably at most 0.5. A further step in the process according this preferred aspect of the invention, comprises subjecting a primary fraction to a second fractionation step to prepare at least one first secondary fraction and at least one second secondary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid (C/Glut) of the at least one second secondary fraction is lower than the at least one first secondary fraction.

The primary fraction used as a feed for the second fractionation step is preferably concentrated as described above. The primary fraction used as a feed for the second fractionation step is preferably the at least one second primary fraction.

The at least one second secondary fraction may be used as an umami enhancing composition obtainable by the method according to invention. The examples show that the inventive method provides an umami enhancing composition substantially free from lycopene at least an equivalent umami taste perception when compared to a solution comprising a higher concentration of glutamic acid.

For the second fractionation step, ion exclusion chromatography may be used as detailed above. Any of these umami fractions may be concentrated as described above for the feed, or even dehydrated such that a dry powder is obtained.

Different embodiments of the invention may be carried out in using preferred or more preferred conditions (e.g. level of degrees Brix) or ingredients (e.g. levels of citric acid, glutamic acid) . Preferred ranges will often be described in the following format: preferably at least xl, more preferably at least x2, even more preferably x3, preferably at most yl, more preferably at most y2, even more preferably at most y3, whereby xl<x2<x3<y3<y2<yl . This format is meant to include the preferred ranges xl to yl, more preferably x2 to y2 and even more preferably x3 to y3 whereby the endpoints are included and also all subranges subsumed therein (e.g. xl to y3 and x3 to yl) . The same applies when ranges are described in the format "more than xl" or "less than yl" except that the endpoints are not included. Vice versa, when preferred ranges are described as xl to yl, more preferably x2 to y2 and even more preferably x3 to y3, the endpoints are meant to be included and also all subranges subsumed therein (e.g. xl to y3 and x3 to yl) . In addition, all open ended ranges are meant to be included: preferably at least xl, more preferably at least x2, even more preferably x3, preferably at most yl, more preferably at most y2, even more preferably at most y3.

The invention is further illustrated by the following non- limiting examples. It will be clear to the skilled person how to carry out the invention by using equivalent means without departing from the invention.

Examples Example 1

Tomatoes were washed and pressed through square holes resulting in an aqueous liquid comprising soluble tomato solids and pulp, a (wet) solid mass containing mainly insoluble tomato components called the fibers as well as seeds and skin. Sieves were used to remove seeds and skin and further separation of the fibers is achieved by using a decanter or a centrifugal separator, such as a Westfalia CA-365-010 at a revolution speed of 4000 rpm and/or an Alfa Laval Centrifuge.

The tomato serum was concentrated to 12.5 degrees Brix strength using a Mitchell pilot plant tray dryer with a dry bulb temperature of 65 degrees C. Then the concentrated tomato serum was separated into a first portion and a second portion whereby the first portion is relatively lower in lycopene than the second portion using ultra filtration. The separation was carried out by ultra filtering the tomato serum through an Alfa-Laval polysulphone membrane with 10OkDa molecular weight cut-off (GR40PP) . The ultra filtration was performed in the plate and frame module of an M20 Alfa-Laval filtration rig at 50 C degrees Celsius with a trans-membrane pressure of 2-3 bars and a recirculation flow rate of 12L/min for the retentate stream. The permeate (first portion from the separation step) was substantially free from lycopene.

The permeate obtained after the ultra filtration step was then further concentrated by means of the same Mitchell tray dryer with a dry bulb temperature 65 degrees C until reaching 40 degrees Brix strength. In the following step, the concentrated permeate was fractionated into a first primary fraction and a second primary fraction whereby the second primary fraction had a w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid lower than the first primary fraction. For this fractionation step, the concentrated permeate was used as a feed in ion exclusion chromatography by passing the feed over a XK 2.6/100 GE healthcare column. The ion exclusion resin used was the DIAION UBK530 in its K+ form. The length of bed filled with the resin was measured to 95cm and the diameter was 20cm. The temperature of the column was kept at 65 degrees C using a thermostat. The injection of feed and execution of the chromatography setup was achieved using an BayBC 200 system from Bayer, Germany. A 5% Bed Volume (BV) of feed was injected followed by 1.5BV of elution, whereby particle-free tomato serum of 0.6 Brix was the eluent. The cross flow velocity of the eluent was set to 2 cm/min .

The first 0.3BV of each injection was discarded and the remaining elution of the chromatography was collected at different BV intervals. Samples were promptly placed in a refrigerated environment in order to remain suitable for human consumption. At least one first primary tomato fraction and at least one second primary tomato fraction was collected. The fractions were analysed online for pH and electrical conductivity. The refractive index was measured with a handheld Atago digital refractometer . To obtain enough material, a number of injections were made sequentially and the respective fractions were pooled. One second primary fraction collected between 0.48-0.60 bed volume intervals and was concentrated to 42 degrees Brix under 60 Celcius constant water bath temperature using a PowerVap rotary evaporator from Genser Instruments, Germany.

The concentrated second primary fraction was then used as the feed at 40 degrees Brix for a second fractionation step using the same chromatography parameters as for the first fractionation step but demineralised water as the eluent. The primary fraction was fractionated into at least one first secondary tomato fraction and at least one second secondary tomato fraction.

Glucose, fructose and citric acid were determined by HPLC, using Aminex HPX-87H column, 300 x 7.8mm and 5 mM sulphuric acid, pH=2 as eluent, flow rate 0.6 ml/min, at 65 ⁰C. Detection was carried out using UV (220 nm) and refractive index detector. This method may slightly overestimate the amount of glucose and fructose as the trace amount of sucrose in the tomato fraction is inverted to glucose and fructose. For the present purpose this is ignored and the values of glucose and fructose have not been corrected. The glutamic acid and aspartic acid were determined by AccQTag HPLC method of Waters Cooperation USA.

Nucleotide analysis details

The sample was dissolved in O,1M perchloric acid and was mixed with cytidine-3 ' , 5 ' -cyclo-monophosphate as internal standard. After a fine filtration the nucleotides were separated by capillary electrophoresis via micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) and detected using an UV detector at 260nm. The calibration is performed by the method of internal and external standard.

Instrumental analysis (CE) :

Capillary, HP fused silica extended light path capillary, length 56 cm effective; ID: 50 μm; Capillary temperature : 30 °C; Injection: 4sec, 50mbar; Voltage : -17KV; UV Detector wave length:260nm.

The second secondary fraction forming the Umami enhancing composition A was collected between 0.35-0.38 bed volumes and was 2.5 Brix. The w/w ratio of Glutamic acid to 5' -AMP was 0.67 and the w/w ratio of (5' IMP+5' GMP) /5'AMP was less than 0.1

Assessment of the umami enhancement of the umami enhancing composition using a trained sensory panel

To identify the impact on flavour of the umami enhancing composition A obtained, sensory evaluations have been performed by a trained sensory panel. This panel consisted of 14 panellists, selected from a group of over 100 panellists on the basis of screening tests for their ability to identify basic tastes and familiar odours, recognition of odours and tastes and verbal creativity. The panel was trained intensively on differentiating intensities of umami taste. Assessment of MSG reference solutions

The sensitivity of the sensory panel was evaluated by offering the panel several reference MSG solutions with different levels of MSG (0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 g/L) . The solutions were set to pH 5.4 using small addition of NaOH

The exact compositions of the standard MSG solutions used are shown to the table 1 below.

TABLE 1. MSG standard solutions used in the sensory panel

The four MSG reference solutions were compared to each other in a ranking test. The ranking test is frequently used in sensory analyses and is a very sensitive test in which products are directly compared to each other on an attribute of interest (Lee, H. -S., van Hout, D., & O'Mahony, M. (2007) . Sensory difference tests for margarine: A comparison of R-Indices derived from ranking and A-Not A methods considering response bias and cognitive strategies, Food Quality and Preference, 18, 675-680.) . The assessment was conducted in triplicates and the panel ranked these 4 MSG reference solutions on the attribute umami-taste and accurately perceived a significant difference (p<0.05) between the four solutions. The results showed that the panel was able to differentiate between all 4 MSG reference solutions and to rank these correctly from low to high umami taste corresponding to the amount of MSG.

Assessment of Umami taste and enhancement of umami taste of the umami enhancing composition

The same sensory panel was used for assessment of the enhancement of the Umami taste of umami enhancing composition obtained in example 1. To this end the umami enhancing composition obtained in example 1 was diluted and the umami enhancement of the diluted tomato fraction determined by ranking the umami taste thereof to MSG reference solutions comprising 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/L MSG respectively. The diluted tomato fraction was prepared by diluting the umami enhancing tomato fraction as prepared according to example 1 with water such that the resulting glutamic acid level corresponded to 0.05 g/L MSG. 0.5 wt% NaCl was also added to the diluted tomato fractions. With such NaCl concentration in the background, it is easier to differentiate different levels of umami taste. Both the diluted tomato fraction and the MSG reference solutions were set to pH 5.4 using small addition of NaOH.

The assessment was conducted in triplicates, 42 ranking results were obtained and the results were also statistically analyzed.

Surprisingly, the trained panel ranked the diluted tomato fraction with an equivalent of 0.05g/l MSG in the same group as the 2g/L MSG standard solution. This demonstrated that the umami enhancing tomato fraction was capable of enhancing the umami taste about fourty times which is a drastic enhancement accomplished under very low glutamate concentrations. Interestingly 5'GMP was present below taste threshold and 5' IMP was absent in the umami enhancing fraction A when tasted.

Example 2

An umami enhancing composition B was prepared similar to example 1 having a Glutamic acid to 5'AMP ratio of 0.1 and a ratio of w/w ratio of (5' IMP+5' GMP) /5' AMP of less than 0.2. A ranking taste test was carried out as described above except that the umami enhancing composition B was diluted such that the diluted composition had 4 ppm (0.004 g/L) glutamic acid. The umami enhancing composition B was capable of enhancing the umami taste about sixty times. 5'GMP and 5'IMP were present below taste the taste threshold in the umami enhancing fraction B when tasted.

Example 3

A ready to eat food product was preparing an aqueous solution of the ingredients in the amounts according table 2, adjusting the pH to about 5.4. The ready to eat food product had an umami taste similar to umami enhancing composition A when diluted to about 50 ppm glutamic acid. Since Umami enhancing composition A diluted to 50 ppm had an umami taste equivalent to 2000 ppm (see above) the ready to eat food product contained about 40 times less glutamic acid while having an umami taste equivalent to 2000 ppm glutamic acid.

Ready to eat food product

Comparative experiments

Comparative tomato fraction C was prepared using the method according to example 1 except that the eluent in the first fractionation step was demineralised water. Comparative tomato fraction C had a Glutamic acid to 5'AMP ratio of 7 and when tested in the ranking test as described above, showed an enhancing effect of only 4 times. Another comparative tomato fraction D had a Glutamic acid to 5'AMP ratio of 8.8 and when tested in the ranking test as described above, showed an enhancing effect of only 3 to 4 times .

A potato soup composition comprising an umami enhancing composition according to the invention.

A chicken bouillon composition comprising an umami enhancing tomato fraction according to the invention.

Claims

1. A liquid umami enhancing composition for use in foods, comprising a) a glutamic acid to 5 Αdenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) of at most 6, preferably at most 2, more preferably at most 1, more preferably at most 0.8, preferably more than 0, more preferably at least 0.000001, more preferably at least 0.0001, most preferably at least 0.05; and b) a ratio (w/w) of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5' AMP of at most 0.75, preferably at most 0.4, preferably at most 0.3, preferably at most 0.2, preferably at least 0, more preferably at least 0.00001, more preferably at least 0.0001.

2. An umami enhancing composition according to claim 1 whereby said composition further comprises at most 2 wt% of glutamic acid by weight of total umami enhancing composition based on dry weights.

3. An umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims whereby said composition further comprises a w/w ratio of glutamic acid to citric acid (Glut/C) of at most 0.6.

4. An umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims whereby said composition further comprises a w/w ratio of fructose to glucose of less than 1:1.

5. An umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims whereby said composition is a plant extract, preferably a tomato fraction.

6. An umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims whereby said composition comprises less than 10 wt%, preferably less than 7 wt%, more preferably less than 5 wt%, preferably more than 0.001 wt%, more preferably 0 wt% or more, most preferably 0 wt% of fructose, by weight of the total umami enhancing composition, based on dry weights.

7. An umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims whereby said composition has been dehydrated, preferably whereby said composition is in the form of a dry powder .

8. A method for producing an umami enhancing composition according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of a) providing a tomato serum, preferably substantially free from sucrose; b) separating the serum into two or more portions: at least one first portion and at least one second portion whereby the at least one first portion is lower in lycopene than the at least one second portion; c) concentrating the at least one first portion low in lycopene; d) fractionating the concentrated at least one first portion obtained in step c) into at least one first primary fraction and at least one second primary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid of the at least one first primary fraction is higher than the at least one second primary fraction; e) optionally, concentrating a primary fraction to be used as the feed for a second fractionation step; f) subjecting a primary fraction, preferably the concentrated primary fraction of step e) , to a second fractionation step to prepare at least one first secondary fraction and at least one second secondary fraction whereby the w/w ratio of glutamic acid to 5 'Adenosine-5' -monophosphate

(5'AMP) of the at least one second secondary fraction is higher than the at least one first secondary fraction, and the at least one second secondary fraction has a glutamic acid to 5 'Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) of at most 6.

9. A method according to claim 8 whereby the at least one second secondary fraction is an umami enhancing composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A method according to any of claims 8 or 9 whereby the w/w ratio of citric acid to glutamic acid (C/Glut) of the at least one second secondary fraction is lower than the at least one first secondary fraction..

11. A method according to any of claims 8 or 9 whereby the at least one second primary fraction used as the feed for the second fractionation step and has a potassium to glutamic acid ratio of less than 2.

12. A ready to eat food product comprising a) a glutamic acid to 5 ' Adenosine-5' -monophosphate (5'AMP) ratio (w/w) and a ratio (w/w) of the combined amount of (5'IMP and 5'GMP) to 5' AMP of according to claim 1 ; b) 5'AMP in an amount of at least 1 ppm, preferably at least 5 ppm, more preferably at least 10 ppm and preferably less than 700 ppm, more preferably less than 600 ppm, more preferably less than 500 ppm, more preferably less than 400 ppm, more preferably less than 300 ppm;

13. A ready to eat food product according to claim 12 further comprising a) glutamic acid in an amount of at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.01 ppm, more preferably at least 0.1 ppm and less than 400 ppm, more preferably less than 300 ppm, more preferably less than 200 ppm, more preferably less than 100 ppm; b) preferably a combined amount of IMP and GMP in an amount of at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.01 ppm, more preferably at least 0.1 ppm and preferably less than 30 ppm, more preferably less than 25 ppm, more preferably less than 20 ppm.

14. A method for providing a ready to eat food product according to claim 12 or 13 comprising the steps a) providing a concentrated food product b) instructing the user to prepare the concentrated food product such that the ready to eat food product according to claim 12 or 13 is obtained.

15. A concentrated food product which after dilution by 1 to 100 times results in a ready to eat food product according to claim 12 or 13.