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Patent Pick: Salt of the Sea

Mar 4th, 2016
Rachel Grabenhofer, Perfumer & Flavorist
Cooked-shrimp-300

In a seasoned quest for salt flavor alternatives, this new "salt of the sea" invention looks to chitosan, typically found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans, as a new salt source.

Chitosan salt and preparation method
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/027919
Publication date: Feb. 25, 2016
Assignee: Bo-yong Hwang

This invention relates to a chitosan salt and a method to prepare it. Chitosan is obtained by dissolution using an edible, strong acid (pH 5) that is neutralized with an edible alkali component. This produces a slightly acidic chitosan liquid of pH 6 devoid of distinctive bitter and pungent flavors.

The slightly acidic chitosan is then blended with a salt to prepare a chitosan salt that retains the original flavor of the salt itself. According to the inventor, this has a remarkable effect and benefits both foods and the consumer.

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