This study was conducted to investigate the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability of beef stock
samples containing GSH-xylose Maillard reaction product (GX) and/or monosodium glutamate (MSG) with varying
levels of salt (NaCl). The sensory characteristics of the beef stock samples were examined using a descriptive analysis. Total
of 50 consumers evaluated overall acceptability and flavor intensities of beef odor, salty taste, beef flavor, and seasoning
flavor in the samples. Samples containing both GX and MSG (GX-MSG), GX only (GX), and GX with higher salt
level (GX-NaCl) had stronger “beef odor/flavor,” “sulfur odor/flavor,” and “chestnut odor/flavor” than those of the
other samples, whereas beef stocks containing MSG, salt only (CON), and CON with higher salt level (CON-NaCl)
had stronger “potato odor/flavor” and “soy sauce odor/flavor” than those of the other samples. The consumers liked
GX-MSG and MSG the most. Overall liking scores of GX-NaCl and CON-NaCl were significantly higher than that
of CON. GX was not significantly preferred to CON. Partial least square regression results showed that salty, MSG, and
sweet tastes had more significant impact on consumer perception of the beef and spice flavors and the liking score than
strong beef odor/flavor of GX. However, high hedonic ratings of GX-MSG, which contained half the doses of GX and
MSG used for the GX and MSG samples, suggest that the combination of GX and MSG had a synergistic effect on flavor
enhancement of beef stock