Euglena Co.,Ltd.
Euglena extract's contribution to improving the palatability of compounded fragrances confirmed Euglena Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuru Izumo; hereinafter "Euglena Co.") and Codeme Inc. (Head office: Nishi-ku, Yokohama; President and CEO: Kenji Ota; hereinafter "Codeme"), which provides optimal fragrances based on data to individuals and companies, have identified the characteristic aroma components2 of Euglena extract1 through instrumental analysis and confirmed its contribution to sensory evaluation*3, which improves the palatability of compounded fragrances that contain the extract in specific ratios. *1 Euglena extract: Food-grade Euglena extract (hot water extraction) https://www.euglena.jp/news/20180409-5/ *2 Aroma components: Volatile substances contained in foods and plants that have an aroma, usually composed of a large number of compounds *3 Sensory evaluation: A test to evaluate an object based on human senses such as sight and hearing, and is used for foods, fragrances, industrial products, etc.
Background of the joint research
CODE Meee and Euglena Co., Ltd. have been conducting joint research focusing on the scent of Euglena extract with Euglena Co., Ltd., the sponsor of the award, since CODE Meee won the Excellence Award in the General Category of the Yokohama Business Grand Prix 2020, which calls for business plans from all over the country to challenge companies and new business development in Yokohama City. CODE Meee is developing an aroma space design business for companies, and is currently conducting joint clinical research with medical facilities in Tokyo with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients and their families. CODE Meee and Euglena Co., Ltd. will continue their research into the scent and functionality of Euglena extract, and in the future, they plan to apply it to the aroma space design business in addition to developing fragrance products for Code Me's Solution Fragrance® business.
From left, Kenji Ota, Executive Director and President of CODE Meee, and Mitsuru Izumo, President of Euglena Co., Ltd.
【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 yellowish 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: GC/MS Analysis Results of Euglena Extract
【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 using Euglena extract as a flavoring agent, we blended Euglena extract in a specific proportion as part of a blended flavor and evaluated the effect on sensory evaluation (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 dedicated 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 (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 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.