Euglena Co. and Fragrance Venture CODE Meee Joint Research
We confirmed the contribution of Euglena extract to the improvement of flavor preference
Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo, hereinafter "Euglena Co.") and CODE Meee Inc. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, President: Kenji Ota, hereinafter "CODE Meee"), a company that provides optimal fragrances for individuals and companies based on data, have confirmed the contribution of Euglena extract to the improvement of flavor preference.
※1 Euglena Extract: Food-grade Euglena Extract (Hot Water Extraction) https://www.euglena.jp/news/20180409-5/※2 Fragrant Components: Volatile substances contained in foods and plants that have a fragrance and are generally composed of multiple compounds※3 Sensory Evaluation: A test method for evaluating objects such as foods, flavors, and industrial products based on visual and auditory senses, etc.
【Background of Joint Research】
CODE Meee, which won the Excellence Award in the general division of the "Yokohama Business Grand Prix 2020," a business plan contest for companies and new business development in Yokohama, started joint research on the fragrance of Euglena extract, focusing on the fragrance of Euglena extract, with Euglena Co., which was a sponsor of the award. CODE Meee is engaged in aroma space design business for companies and is currently conducting a joint clinical research with a medical facility in Tokyo to improve the QOL of patients and their families. CODE Meee and Euglena Co. will continue research on the fragrance and functionality of Euglena extract and aim to develop fragrance products in the solution fragrance business of CODE Meee in the future, as well as to apply it to aroma space design business.
From left, Kenji Ota, Executive Director and President of CODE Meee, and Mitsuru Izumo, President of Euglena Co.
【Results of GC/MS Analysis of Euglena Extract Fragrance】
The fragrance of Euglena extract was found to have a unique nutty aroma due to the characteristic fragrant components identified by organoleptic evaluation of the extract alone. To verify the components contributing to this aroma, we analyzed Euglena extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and identified characteristic fragrant components such as benzaldehyde, acetone, amines, multiple furans, and pyrazines (Figure 1) (January 2022). ※4 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry, GC/MS): An instrumental analysis method used for the identification and quantification of easily volatile compounds ※5 Benzaldehyde: A colorless or slightly yellow liquid with a fragrance, used as a flavoring agent in soaps, etc. ※6 Acetone: A colorless or slightly yellowish liquid with a fragrance, used as a flavoring agent in foods ※7 Amines: A general term for compounds of ammonia, generally produced by microorganisms from amino acids when foods spoil ※8 Furans: Substances found in heated foods, which are generated by the heating of ascorbic acid, amino acids, sugars, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, etc. in various heated foods ※9 Pyrazines: Substances found in roasted foods, which are fragrance components of roasted aroma
Figure 1: Analysis results of Euglena extract by GC/MS analysis method
【Results of Sensory Evaluation of Euglena Extract-containing Blended Flavor】
Euglena extract tends to have low preference when smelling the fragrance alone due to the presence of amines identified by GC/MS analysis. Therefore, to examine the effect on sensory evaluation when Euglena extract is used as a flavoring agent, we blended Euglena extract in a specific proportion as part of a blended flavor and evaluated the preference when smelling the fragrance (September 2022).
Blended Flavor: Citrus Herb Fragrance (CODE Meee blended considering the compatibility with Euglena extract) Evaluation Method: Fragrance was diluted with fragrance spray and sprayed in a scentless space, and the preference for fragrance was evaluated blindly in 20 steps (-10 to +10) for comfort. The impression level of comfort/discomfort of the blended flavor without Euglena extract was set at +5, and the relative evaluation was performed for the blended flavor with and without Euglena extract. Evaluators: Seven flavor expert panels
As a result, it was found that the blended flavor with a specific proportion of Euglena extract had a higher preference (comfort level) when smelling the fragrance than the blended flavor without Euglena extract (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Fragrance preference evaluation results when spraying fragrance spray (vertical axis is the average value of seven evaluators)
The results of this study suggest the potential of Euglena extract as a flavoring agent in future fragrance product development.
About CODE Meee Inc.
CODE Meee Inc. is a fragrance startup company founded in 2017 by the representative of Japan's largest fragrance company, with the mission of "Creating an exciting world with fragrance and IT." We provide optimal fragrances for individuals and companies based on data on fragrance preference and functionality. With the concept of "fragrance personalization," we deploy fragrance DtoC business for the general public and aroma space design business for companies. We aim to create a new fragrance market that adds color to life and are also working on collaborations with various companies and artists. https://www.codemeee.com/
About Euglena Co., Ltd.
Euglena Co., Ltd. established the world's first outdoor mass culture technology for the microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Midorimushi) in 2005. In addition to developing and selling foods, cosmetics, etc., using Euglena and Chlorella microalgae, we are also engaged in the development and sales of biofuels, genetic analysis services, etc. We also continuously implement the "Euglena GENKI Program," which delivers Euglena cookies with abundant nutrients to children in Bangladesh. We define "Sustainability First" as Euglena Philosophy and Philosophy and develop our business. https://euglena.jp