Bitter blockers (also called bitterness suppressors or modulators) are ingredients used to reduce or mask bitterness in food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. They are crucial in products where bitterness is naturally present—such as plant-based proteins, caffeine-containing drinks, functional foods, and artificial sweeteners like stevia (McGregor, 2007; Gaudette & Pickering, 2012; Mennella et al., 2014; Andrews et al., 2021).
Here’s a breakdown of commonly used bitter blockers, categorized by type:
1. Natural Bitter Blockers
| Compound | Source | Function / Application |
|---|---|---|
| Lactisole | Tomato | Suppresses sweetness and some bitter notes (especially in acidic foods); used in beverages and sauces |
| Glycyrrhizin | Licorice root | Sweet and bitterness-masking; often used in herbal teas and supplements |
| Hops extracts (reduced iso-α-acids) | Hops (processed) | Used in beer to modulate bitter notes from iso-α-acids |
| Thaumatin | West African katemfe fruit | Sweet protein that can suppress bitterness, used in flavor systems |
| Vanillin / Vanilla extract | Vanilla beans or synthetic | Masks bitterness and sharpness, especially in plant proteins and chocolate |
2. Amino Acids & Peptides
| Compound | Function / Application |
|---|---|
| Arginine | Suppresses bitter notes in caffeine, ibuprofen, peptides |
| Glycine | Slightly sweet; masks bitter flavors in amino acid mixtures |
| L-glutamine | Used in nutritional beverages to reduce bitterness |
| Dipeptides / Tripeptides | Used in pharma and sports nutrition for bitterness masking |
3. Salt-Based Modulators
| Compound | Function / Application |
|---|---|
| Potassium chloride (KCl) | Adds saltiness and reduces some bitterness, though it can be bitter itself at high levels |
| Sodium salts (e.g. sodium gluconate) | Suppresses bitterness and enhances umami/savory taste |
4. Flavour Modulation Compounds (Commercial/Proprietary)
| Product Name | Company | Function / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tastesense™ (including Advanced) | Kerry | Modulates sweetness and masks bitterness (esp. from stevia, proteins) |
| Sense Capture™ Bitter Blocker | Firmenich | Blocks bitterness in caffeine, cocoa, green tea, peptides |
| BITRITE™ | Givaudan | Reduces bitterness in OTC drugs and functional beverages |
| FlavorBalance™ | Ingredion | Reduces off-notes in stevia, botanicals, and soy proteins |
| Maxinvert™ | DSM | Used in medical nutrition for masking bitterness of amino acids and peptides |
| ModuMax™ | Cargill | Enhances taste and masks bitterness in high-intensity sweeteners and plant proteins |
5. Enzymes and Biotech Solutions
| Compound / Technology | Function / Notes |
|---|---|
| Enzymatic treatment (e.g. proteases) | Used to hydrolyze bitter peptides in protein hydrolysates |
| Yeast extracts | Provide umami and mask bitterness in savory products |
| Fermentation-derived modulators | Emerging biotech used to selectively reduce bitterness in plant-based foods |
6. Botanical Extracts & Herbal Compounds
| Extract | Function / Application |
|---|---|
| Green tea polyphenol derivatives | Used in some systems to bind bitter molecules |
| Cocoa or coffee extracts | Contain bitter blockers when combined with sweet modulators |
| Spices (e.g., cinnamon, cardamom) | Aromatics can distract from bitterness |
Use Case Examples
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Functional Beverages: Block caffeine, botanical, or vitamin bitterness
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Plant-Based Protein: Mask earthy/bean-like bitterness from pea, soy, or hemp
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Pharmaceuticals: Ibuprofen, paracetamol, antibiotics
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Sugar Substitutes: Stevia and monk fruit can have bitter/metallic aftertastes
References
Andrews, D., Salunke, S., Cram, A., Bennett, J., Ives, R. S., Basit, A. W., & Tuleu, C. (2021). Bitter-blockers as a taste masking strategy: a systematic review towards their utility in pharmaceuticals. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 158, pp. 35-51.
Gaudette, N. J., Delwiche, J. F., & Pickering, G. J. (2016). The contribution of bitter blockers and sensory interactions to flavour perception. Chemosensory Perception, 9, pp. 1-7.
Gaudette, N. J., & Pickering, G. J. (2012). The efficacy of bitter blockers on health-relevant bitterants. Journal of Functional Foods, 4(1), pp. 177-184.
McGregor, R. (2007). Bitter blockers in foods and pharmaceuticals. In Modifying flavour in food (pp. 221-231). Woodhead Publishing.
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