Flavor Composition or Fragrance Composition, and Flavor-Improving Agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flavor composition or fragrance composition which can satisfy diversified requirements for flavored products, as well as to a flavor-improving agent which can improve the quality and release of aroma of a beverage or food. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flavor composition or fragrance composition which comprises an optically active S-alkyl 2-methylbutanethioate as an active ingredient, a flavor- or fragrance-added product, a flavor-improving agent which comprises an optically active S-alkyl 2-methylbutanethioate as an active ingredient, and a beverage or food having an improved flavor. The optically active S-alkyl 2-methylbutanethioate includes S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate and S-alkyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate.

1 . A flavor composition or fragrance composition and a flavor-improving agent, characterized by comprising an optically active S-alkyl 2-methylbutanethioate as an active ingredient. 
     
     
         2 . A flavor composition or fragrance composition characterized by comprising an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate as an active ingredient. 
     
     
         3 . A flavor composition or fragrance composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate has an optical purity of 50% e.e. or more. 
     
     
         4 . A flavor composition or fragrance composition according to  claim 1 , which is a flavor composition. 
     
     
         5 . A flavor composition characterized by comprising an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate at a concentration of 10 −5  to 10 7  ppb. 
     
     
         6 . A product added with a flavor by a flavor composition set forth in  claim 5 . 
     
     
         7 . A flavor-added product according to  claim 6 , which is one member selected from beverages, foods, oral-care compositions and medicines. 
     
     
         8 . A product added with a flavor, characterized by being obtained by adding an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate at a concentration of 10 −9  to 10 5  ppb. 
     
     
         9 . A flavor composition or fragrance composition according to  claim 1 , which is a fragrance composition. 
     
     
         10 . A fragrance composition characterized by comprising an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate at a concentration of 10 −6  to 10 7  ppb. 
     
     
         11 . A product added with a fragrance by a fragrance composition set forth in  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A fragrance-added product according to  claim 11 , which is one member selected from fragrance products, skin-care preparations, make-up cosmetics, hair cosmetics, sunblock cosmetics, medicated cosmetics, hair-care products, soaps, body cleaners, bath preparations, detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning agents, kitchen cleaners, bleaching agents, aerosols, deodorant-aromatics, repellants and sundries. 
     
     
         13 . A product added with a fragrance, characterized by being obtained by adding an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate at a concentration of 10 −9  to 10 7  ppb. 
     
     
         14 . A method for intensification, improvement or modification of flavor or fragrance, characterized by adding an S-alkyl (R)-2-methylbutanethioate. 
     
     
         15 . A flavor-improving agent characterized by comprising, as an active ingredient, an S-alkyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate having an optical purity of 70% e.e. or more. 
     
     
         16 . A flavor-improving agent according to  claim 15 , wherein the S-alkyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate is S-methyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate. 
     
     
         17 . A beverage or food having an improved flavor, characterized by comprising an S-alkyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate having an optical purity of 70% e.e. or more, at a proportion of 10 −8  to 10 5  ppb when reduced to 100% optical purity. 
     
     
         18 . A beverage or food having an improved flavor according to  claim 17 , wherein the S-alkyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate is S-methyl (S)-2-methylbutanethioate.