| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for producing a flavoring agent, which comprises treating milk or milk products with lipase, and in the presence of an alcohol, with an animal-derived enzyme which has the activity of forming an ester from an organic acid and an alcohol (hereinafter referred to as an ester-synthesizing enzyme). A flavoring agent having a rich fruity flavor can be produced by using, as the ester-synthesizing enzyme, an enzyme which has the ethyl butyrate-synthesizing activity of 0.1 unit/mg protein or above when 0.5% (w/w) ethanol and 2.6% (w/w) butyric acid are used as substrates. The flavoring agent according to the present invention is useful in processing not only milk products but also various foods. |