UMAMI- The fifth taste BY:- JAYSHREE MAJUMDAR B.TECH FOOD TECH 09BTFT023 8 TH SEMESTER

TASTES SWEET SOUR BITTER UMAMI SALTY

WHAT IS UMAMI ?

UMAMI IS…. Umami is derived from the Japanese words umami, meaning “delicious” and mi meaning “essence”. It is a subtle taste and blends well with other tastes. Most people do not recognise the taste unless attention is especially drawn towards it.

Umami captures what is some times described as the taste of protein. It is a meaty, savory taste sensation making them linger on the palate longer Umami i.e known as the “fifth” taste.

How humans perceive? Umami??? ”.”.

Taste stimuli interact with the taste receptor cells, & this activates gustatory nerves & brain structures involved in gustation with input from olfactory and somatosensory systems. We consider umami a taste sensation because known umami taste stimuli activate all levels of the gustatory system.

The human umami taste receptor is composed as a T1R1 The human umami taste receptor is composed as a heterodimer of T1R1 and T1R3 proteins. T1R1 and T1R3 are G protein-coupled receptorsnd T1R3 are G protein-coupled receptors

THE DISCOVERY Umami was discovered by Dr Kikunae Ikeda,Tokyo Imperial University, Japan, in1908. He undertook research into Dashi, a traditional Japanese stock made From kombu (kelp). His research lead to describing the savoury taste as ‘umami’.

THE COMPOSITION OF UMAMI GLUTAMATE - a type of amino acid. Glutamate presented as a taste stimulus & act synergistically with other tastes (sweet, salt, bitter and sour). Umami can be thought flavour that is produced by a combination of glutamate taste and a consonant savoury odour. Glutamate is thus a flavour enhancer.

THE NUCLEOTIDES: INOSINATE, IN MEAT AND FISH. GUANYLATE, IN MUSHROOMS. COMBINING THESE DIFFERENT KINDS OF UMAMI.

How Umami Enhances Flavor Flavour Partner:As a flavour partner, umami helps create something new or superior to an original dish or product.The synergy is accomplished by natural glutamate, & nucleotides. Flavour Layerer : umami helps different flavours peak at different times, then combine. Flavour balancer: Highlights flavours by contrasting, cancelling, or balancing.The unique characteristic pungency is balanced by umami for the greater good of the dish. Flavour Catalyst: Umami provides the backbone flavour in a dish and keeps primary flavours from disappearing.

Special Characteristics of umami First, umami compounds may change how the flavour of other food ingredients is perceived (e.g., they can suppress unpleasant flavors). Second, umami substances, especially when they are present in food, increase the sensation of mouth fullness(thickness, continuity ). This is sometimes described by the Japanese word kokumi and probably involves tactile sensation. Third, the palatability of glutamate itself depends on the form in which it is presented

Benificial flavour enhancer Glutamate affects the chemical senses not only in oral cavity but also in gastro intestinal tract It modulates the ingestion, digestion & matabolism of protein Migh be applicable for elderly people who are at risk for prtein malnutrition in developed countries

Examples of Umami-rich Ingredients Poultry, Beef & Pork Dairy & Cheeses Soy & Soy Products Mushrooms Garden Vegetables:- Corn, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Red bell peppers, Winter squash Legumes:- White beans, Black beans, Lentils, Black bean Condiments:- Fish Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Tomato salsa, Ketchup,

Application Of Umami(food technologist) Understanding of umami is useful for food technologists because umami helps improve flavor in product development. Umami is also economical, since its natural flavor may allow for a reduction of more-expensive umami- rich ingredients. An umami-rich taste-activator such as MSG can be used to impart fuller flavor with less total sodium and calories in low-sodium foods and low-fat foods. Together, MSG, glutamate, and nucleotides may help provide food technologists with the “missing links” in recipes & can also help make a finished product taste “more than a sum of the ingredients ”

Consumer Aspects Umami may also be effective in food selection. Glutamate appears to drive the appetite for protein-rich foods. Umami is useful in sodium reduction. This attribute of umami may have great implications as hypertension worldwide is a growing. By utilizing the flavour principles of umami, consumers can create homemade, well- rounded flavors with savory taste that convey hours of cooking time.

Future of Umami Great-tasting, highly flavourful foods with umami can be important tools in meeting expanding global food and nutritional needs. Because highly flavourful foods are satisfying, even in small quantities, the use of flavour- enhanced foods may play an important role in weight management. The flavor profile is enhanced and lengthened. This may have implications for creating foods with nutritional enhancement for the aging population whose sharpness of taste has decreased due to longevity or medications

Thank you….