Protein Suppresses Both Bitterness and Oleocanthal-elicited Pungency of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Mediterranean diet, considered one of the healthiest in the world, is characterized in part by the major source of its fat, which is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Among the health benefits of consuming EVOOs is the presence of phenolic compounds, which have been shown to lower the incidence of coronary heart disease and are suspected of providing many other health benefits. These phenolic compounds also contribute to the flavor of EVOO, adding both pungent and bitter notes that are valued by connoisseurs but reported to be unpleasant by naïve consumers. Here, we demonstrate that some food-derived proteins, when added to pungent and bitter EVOOs, reduce or even eliminate both the pungency and bitterness. This sensory loss seems to be caused by the proteins binding the pungent phenolic compound, oleocanthal, as well as bitter tasting phenolics, leaving them unable to activate their respective sensory receptors (TRPA1 and TAS2Rs). Thus, when used in various foods recipes (e.g. mayonnaise), pungent and bitter EVOOs may lose their pungent and bitter characteristics thereby rendering them more palatable to many consumers. These data also raise the question of whether the bioactivities of EVOO phenolics remain unchanged when consumed with and without protein-containing foods.