The effect of flavour modulators on chewing gum flavour duration

This study investigated the impact of flavour modulators on dynamic flavour perception, salivation and chewing behaviour of chewing gum. Thirty-nine participants chewed gum for 15 min while assessing flavour intensity, chewing patterns and saliva flow rate. Four flavour modulators (Cooling, Tingling, Salivating and Warming) were added to a citrus-flavoured gum and compared with a control gum, citrus flavour only. Flavour modulators increased flavour duration as measured by flavour intensity half-time; the time needed to reduce the flavour intensity by half. The 'Salivation' modulator had the smallest effect and 'Warming' had the largest effect on flavour duration. Salivary flow rate was significantly increased by the flavour modulators and was highly correlated with the flavour duration. Chewing behaviour was not affected by the modulators. We conclude that the interaction between the citrus flavour, saliva and flavour modulators (Intensates (R) flavours) increased the perceived flavour duration during chewing by up to 86% compared with Control.