New technology for the food and beverage industry

Mixing whiskies from distinctive casks is an art in by itself. Whisky blenders are luminaries of their guild. Just as painters mix hues to capture mood on canvas, the industry experts in distilleries blend flavors to develop “liquid gold.” They adhere to their instinct, which is based on practical experience and a keen perception of style and scent.

While many scents and flavors can be calculated, the technological seize of a diverse taste—like that of whisky—is not possible today. The get started-up “Harmonize,” which is based at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, aims to near this gap and provide a new technological know-how for the beverage and foods marketplace to software maturity. “The target in this article is not to replace human effectiveness, but to present business with a resource to improve flavor, assure top quality or develop novel merchandise,” suggests Christoph Wichmann, physicist and handling director of the younger crew.

Flavor is individual

The flavor of whisky is decided by lots of elements: on the a person hand, there is the barley and the water employed, the standard merchandise of the Scottish countrywide drink. But the form of malting, the distillation approach and the casks utilized also perform a decisive part in determining regardless of whether a whisky preferences excellent or not. Whilst some people favor a peaty aroma, other people enjoy a fruity take note, for illustration.

The amount and blend of molecules that dock on to the chemoreceptors in the mouth and nose and thus impact the feeling of flavor are not just recognized it is believed to be quite a few hundred thousand. To make them measurable, the “Harmonize” group, consisting of three experts and a item manager, makes use of technologies they are common with from their study: mass spectrometry and synthetic intelligence.

The mass spectrum can help them to decide the mass of molecules with a identified cost. “It doesn’t issue what the molecules are particularly, but instead the one of a kind signature of the whisky,” suggests Hamid Hamzeiy, who is dependable for facts processing and examination. A new program device that makes use of artificial intelligence solutions will assistance to quantify the molecules.

A whisky that retains its assure

Bioinformatician Hamid Hamzeiy had the thought of applying whisky as a proof-of-theory at a symposium in Scotland. Collectively with Daniil Pokrovsky, he had bought an highly-priced bottle of whisky. “In spite of the higher selling price, we were unhappy with the flavor,” suggests Pokrovsky. “An high priced item must also provide what it guarantees.”

To get closer to this aim, the “Harmonize” group will work closely with the premier German whisky producer, who supplies them with the samples for their measurements. “All these samples, which are matured in different barrels, have about 55 to 60 % alcoholic beverages articles,” states Hans Kemenater, the handling director of the Slyrs Distillery. With 3,500 barrels, all of which have their own properties, he hopes to get thoughts about which whiskies can be blended to make sure consistent quality.

Christoph Wichmann, Hamid Hamzeiy, Daniil Pokrovsky and Paulyna Mendoza Quintero want to use whisky to establish that their technological know-how works. In the medium expression, they system to broaden the business enterprise to other beverages and foodstuffs. “We are persuaded that there is quite terrific potential for this,” states internet marketing specialist Mendoza Quintero.

The staff is aware that it is also using a possibility. But they know what they are receiving into. “The liberty to crack new floor appeals to me,” claims Christoph Wichmann. Daniil Pokrovsky also sees it that way. After his postdoc, he experienced great delivers from academia and market. Nonetheless, he resolved to acquire the self-used route. But of course, “I am damn scared,” suggests the younger scientist. The group, on the other hand, gives him stability, he suggests.

“A good network of supporters is an vital warranty for achievement,” states Christoph Wichmann. For illustration, “Harmonize” is advised by Max Planck Innovation and the Max Planck Basis. Jürgen Cox from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry is a scientific mentor, and professionals from the whisky business are assisting with sector entry. Given that September 2021, the “Harmonize” group has been funded via the Exist study transfer, a welcome good results that offers them setting up security for the first time.