Abstract
The perception of “Koku” in food has been associated with deliciousness, but its definition has been vague, leading to its ambiguous usage. In recent years, efforts have been made to clarify the definition of koku perception. It has been discovered that koku perception encompasses the overall sensory experience of taste, aroma, and texture and can be objectively described in terms of three elements: complexity, mouthfulness, and lastingness. Additionally, certain substances have been identified as enhancers of koku perception.
This paper provides a definition of koku perception and explains the three elements based on this definition and the substances that enhance koku perception. Furthermore, it explores the role of kokumi substances in koku perception.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Dunkel A, Hofmann T (2009) Sensory-directed identification of b-alanyl dipeptides as contributors to the thick-sour and white -meaty orosensation induced by chicken broth. J Agric Food Chem 57:9867–9877
Kurobayashi Y, Katsumi Y, Fujita A, Morimitsu Y, Kubota K (2008) Flavor enhancement of chicken broth from boiled celery constituents. J Agric Biol Chem 56:512–516
Kuroda M, Kato Y, Yamazaki J, Kageyama N, Mizukoshi T, Miyama H, Eto Y (2013) Determination of γ-glutamyl-valyl-glycine in scallop and processed scallop products using high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Food Chem 141:823–828
Nishimura T (2019) Definition of “Koku” Involved in Food Palatability. In: Nishimura T, Kuroda M (eds) Koku in food science and physiology. Springer, pp 1–16
Nishimura T, Egusa SA (2019) Umami compounds and fats involved in Koku attributes of Pork Sausages. In: Nishimura T, Kuroda M (eds) Koku in Food Science and Physiology. Springer, pp 47–58
Nishimura T, Egusa AS, Nagao A, Odahara T, Sugise T, Mizoguchi N, Nosho Y (2016a) Phytosterols in onion contribute to a sensation of lingering of aroma, a koku attribute. Food Chem 192:724–728
Nishimura T, Goto S, Miura K, Takakura Y, Egusa AS, Wakabayashi H (2016b) Umami compounds enhance the intensity of reteronasal sensation of aromas from modek chicken soups. Food Chem 196:577–5835
Ogasawara M, Katsumata E, Egi M (2006a) Taste properties of maillard-reaction products prepared from 1000 to 5000 Da peptide. Food Chem 99:600–604
Ogasawara M, Yamada Y, Egi M (2006b) Taste enhancer from the long-term ripening of miso (soybean paste). Food Chem 99:736–741
Ohtsu T, Amino Y, Nagasaki H, Yamanaka T, Takeshita S, Hatanaka T, Maruyama Y, Miyamura N, Eto Y (2010) Involvement of the calcium-sensing receptor in human taste perception. J Biol Chem 285:1016–1022
Ueda Y, Sakaguchi M, Hirayama K, Mijajima R, Kimizuka A (1990) Characteristic flavor constituents in water extract of garlic. Agric Biol Chem 54:163–169
Ueda Y, Tsubuku T, Miyajima R (1994) Composition of sulfur-containing components in onion and their flavor characters. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 58:108–110
Yamaguchi S, Kimizuka A (1979) Psychometric studies on the taste of monosodium glutamate. In: Filer LJ Jr et al (eds) Glutamic acid: advances biochemistry and physiology. Raven Press, New York, pp 35–54
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nishimura, T. (2024). Koku Perception and Kokumi Substances. In: Kuroda, M. (eds) Kokumi Substance as an Enhancer of Koku. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8303-2_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8303-2_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-99-8302-5
Online ISBN: 978-981-99-8303-2
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)