The extent of browning seems to vary according to the sugar:amine ratio. At a molar
ratio of 1:1 the development of color in a glycine-glucose reaction system was higher
than at a ratio of 10 sugar to one amino group (Wolfrom et al., 1974). However, a study
by Warmbier et al.(1976a) on a glucose-lysine model system showed that the rate of
browning increased to a maximum at a ratio of one glucose to 3 lysine. One reason for
this is that the initial step of formation of the Schiff base is dependent on the
concentration of both sugar and amino acid. Table 4 & 5 (Baisier and Labuza, 1992)
show that the ratio of amino acid to reducing sugar can effect the rate of browning. The effect of increasing the amino concentration show a greater increase in browning
than that of increasing the sugar content on a molar basis and the increase for
both is greater than the relative concentration increase (2 times greater for sugar
and 2 to 3 fold times greater for amine). Thus one can use this information to
change color and flavor. It also suggests that as one reduces sugar content to
get a lower calorie candy,the amount of flavor and color changes dramatically. As an example, Table 6 shows the
typical composition of a caramel, with Maillard reactants marked. The potential reactivity of a typical caramel will change as some ingredients are replaced for others.
For example, at present there is a large consumer concern over fat content and high
calorie food. Many of the fat replacers to lower the lower calorie content of foods are
protein based. This will increase the color development and change flavor formation,
but the extent that this will occur is unknown.