| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a method for stabilizing the flavor of a fermented malt beverage, most particularly a beer, by the addition of an oxoaldehyde reductase enzyme, the fermented malt beverage prepared by such a method, and to the use during the brewing process of oxoaldehyde reductase enzymes from naturally occuring sources, including those produced by yeasts, to stabilize the flavor of the resulting beer product and to produce a beer having a stable flavor. The invention also relates to microorganisms, particularly yeasts, which have been specifically modified, selected, or genetically engineered to express or secrete an oxoaldehyde reductase enzyme which may be used during the brewing process to stabilize the flavor of the resulting beer product and to produce a beer having a stable flavor. The present invention also provides extracts from a naturally occuring source ( e.g ., yeast), or a modified yeast or extract thereof, which will provide a sufficient amount of the necessary enzymes to block, inhibit or reduce the Maillard reaction intermediates ( e.g ., 3-deoxyglucosone), which result in the formation of the stale flavor in fermented malt beverages. In addition, the present invention provides fermented malt beverages having enhanced flavor stability produced by these methods. |