Abstract: A coffee product derived from roast and ground coffee beans has reduced levels of chlorogenic acid lactones relative to the levels of chlorogenic acids. The product can be prepared by treating a coffee extract with an enzyme so as to hydrolyse at least a portion of the chlorogenic acid lactones present in the extract. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided by contacting a coffee extract with a sorbent or solvent which is suitable for removing apolar components and is at least partially saturated with chlorogenic acid. The product has reduced bitterness.

Abstract: A process of obtaining ?-keto butyrate by bioconversion is disclosed. The molecule is accumulated in the medium and is apt to subsequent processing to food ingredients, such as top-note flavors. A suitable strain is a natural ilv-3 mutant Neurospora crassa strain, which is capable of accumulating ?-keto butyrate in the fermentation medium. By adjusting specific medium parameters, up to 8 g/l medium of ?-keto butyrate can be accumulated.

Abstract: A process of obtaining &agr;-keto butyrate by bioconversion is disclosed. The molecule is accumulated in the medium and is apt to subsequent processing to food ingredients, such as top-note flavors. A suitable strain is a natural ilv-3 mutant Neurospora crassa strain, which is capable of accumulating &agr;-keto butyrate in the fermentation medium. By adjusting specific medium parameters, up to 8 g/l medium of &agr;-keto butyrate can be accumulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of HPO lyase proteins in hosts via recombinant expression of said proteins. Recombinant HPO lyase proteins, DNA sequences encoding these proteins, vectors containing these DNA sequences and hosts containing these vectors are provided, along with methods for recombinantly producing such proteins, DNA sequences, vectors and hosts. Also provided are processes for producing green note compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of HPO lyase proteins in hosts via recombinant expression of said proteins. Recombinant HPO lyase proteins, DNA sequences encoding these proteins, vectors containing these DNA sequences and hosts containing these vectors are provided, along with methods for recombinantly producing such proteins, DNA sequences, vectors and hosts. Also provided are processes for producing green note compounds.

Abstract: Two optically active forms of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-keto-pentanoic acid of the formula ##STR1## wherein carbon atom 4 has the (S)-configuration, and carbon atom 3 can have the (R)-configuration or the (S)-configuration (compound I) are made using a biotransformation process. Compound I may be manufactured by reacting 4-hydroxy-isoleucine (2S, 3R, 4S) of the formula: ##STR2## with microorganisms which have L-amino acid oxidase activity or with an L-amino acid oxidase. Compound I is a flavor precursor and may also be used as an intermediate for the production of the optically active (5S)-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone: ##STR3## which is useful as a flavorant.