Summary
High-protein and functional beverages are booming, but their biggest challenge isn’t formulation—it’s flavor. Packing 50 grams of protein into a 12-ounce RTD is a sensory minefield, especially with the bitterness, astringency, and lingering off-notes that come from dairy and plant proteins. MonkSweet™ LS4 solves this problem through a powerful combination of mogroside V and Reb M, a duo that delivers clean, sugar-like sweetness while masking the toughest protein-related off-notes. By intensely activating T1R2/T1R3 sweet receptors, modulating competing taste pathways, and leveraging synergistic sweetness, MonkSweet™ LS4 smooths and harmonizes even the most complex formulations—helping brands achieve the high-protein profiles consumers demand without sacrificing taste.
Authored by:
Thom King, Icon Foods
Chief Innovations Officer/Certified Food Scientist
The race to 50 grams of protein per serving is on. In the realm of the 12-ounce RTD delivery system, that is tantamount to packing 10lbs of potatoes into a 5lb bag. Protein is the new black and has gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts and individuals seeking convenient nutritional options, but even more so for consumers on AOM’s like GLP-1 analogs. However, the use of high amounts of proteins — particularly dairy but, certainly not excluding plant-based — often results in undesirable off-notes that can detract from the overall sensory experience. MonkSweet™ LS4, can mask these off flavors, enhance the palatability of high protein and functional beverages while delivering a clean sweetness.
The science behind MonkSweet™ LS4’s ability to mask off notes in food and beverage formulations while providing sweetness involves a few key elements related to its composition and interaction with taste receptors:
Sweetness Potency and Synergy
- Mogroside V and Reb M found in MonkSweet™ LS4 are both highly potent sweeteners. Mogroside V, from monk fruit, and Reb M, a steviol glycoside, are many times sweeter than sucrose. This intensity allows them to dominate the flavor profile, effectively overwhelming and masking any off notes.
- The combination of these two sweeteners creates a synergistic effect, enhancing the perception of sweetness more than either could alone. This synergy helps balance flavors and minimizes any undesirable tastes.
Taste Receptor Interaction
- Sweet taste perception is primarily mediated by the T1R2/T1R3 receptor complex. Both mogroside V and Reb M effectively bind to this receptor, activating the sweet taste pathway and providing a pronounced sweet sensation.
- By strongly activating these sweet taste receptors, the blend reduces the perception of bitterness and other off notes, which are typically detected by different receptors (e.g., T2R receptors for bitterness).
Flavor Modulation
- MonkSweet™ LS4 components can modulate flavor by interacting with other taste compounds present in the formulation. This modulation helps smooth out the overall flavor profile, making it more harmonious and less likely to exhibit off notes.
Molecular Structure and Binding
- The molecular structures of mogroside V and Reb M found in MonkSweet™ LS4 are such that they can mask bitterness and other undesirable flavors. Their specific binding properties can interfere with the perception of these off-notes, either by competing with them for receptor sites or by altering the perception pathway.
Perception of Clean Sweetness
- The “clean” sweetness provided by MonkSweet™ LS4 is due to its ability to deliver a sugar-like taste without additional flavor complications. This clean profile ensures that the sweetness is perceived as natural, further masking any potential off notes from other ingredients.
MonkSweet™ LS4’s efficacy in masking off notes while providing sweetness is a result of its potent sweetening ability, synergistic interaction between its components, effective activation of sweet taste receptors, and molecular properties that modulate and harmonize the overall flavor profile. These factors make it an ideal choice for formulators aiming to achieve a balanced and appealing taste in reduced-sugar products.
Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for MonkSweet™ LS4, samples, documentation formulation and usage guidance.
Since 1999 Icon Foods has been your reliable supply chain partner for sweeteners, fibers, sweetening systems, inclusions and sweetness modulators.
Taste the Icon difference.
Order your MonkSweet™ LS4 Samples!
x
