Cocoa polypeptides and their use in the production of cocoa and chocolate flavor

Abstract

The present invention pertains to novel cocoa polypeptides having a molecular weight of about 10 and 14 kDa and being derived from a 69 kDa precursor. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of the polypeptides via recombinant means and the use of the polypeptides or fragments thereof for the production of cocoa/chocolate flavor.

1 . An isolated or synthesized cocoa polypeptide identified by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or a fragment thereof comprising SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4.  
     
     
         2 . The fragment of  claim 1 , obtained by enzymatic degradation involving one or more of the following enzymes: aspartic endoproteinase, cysteine endoproteinase and carboxypeptidase.  
     
     
         3 . The fragment according to  claim 2 , wherein the enzyme is derived from cocoa.  
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide according to  claim 1 , which is further reacted with a reducing sugar.  
     
     
         5 - 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A method of producing cocoa or chocolate flavor comprising isolating, synthesizing or producing a polypeptide according to  claim 1  and reacting the peptide with a reducing sugar.  
     
     
         13 . A method of enhancing the cocoa or chocolate flavor of a composition, comprising supplementing the composition with one or more of the peptides of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A method of producing cocoa or chocolate flavor comprising the steps of isolating, synthesizing or producing one or more cocoa polypeptides identified by SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof comprising SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of reacting the peptide with a reducing sugar.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fragment thereof is obtained by subjecting a peptide identified by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:2 to enzymatic degradation.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of enzymatic degradation involves one or more of the following enzymes: aspartic endoproteinase, cysteine endoproteinase or carboxypeptidase.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the enzyme is derived from cocoa.  
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled)