The use of a hydroxyphenylalkadione derivative of the formula (I)
wherein, for X, a and Y: X is a --CH.sub.2--, --NH-- or --O-- group, Y
is a --CH.sub.2-- group and a is a single bondor X and Y are in each case
a --CH-- group and a is a double bond in the Z or E
configuration,wherein, for R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 R.sup.1 denotes
hydrogen, an aliphatic radical having 1 to 4 C atoms or a --O--R.sup.5,
--S--R.sup.5 or --NR.sup.5R.sup.6 group and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
independently of one another denote hydrogen or an alkyl having 1, 2, 3,
4 or 5 C atoms which is optionally substituted by one or more oxo groups
or R.sup.7--O-- groupsor R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form an aliphatic
ring which contains a total of 4 to 10 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 oxygen
atom, wherein the ring constituent represented by R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is
optionally substituted by one or more oxo groups and/or R.sup.7--O--
groups and/or aliphatic radicals having 1 to 4 C atoms and R.sup.3
denotes hydrogen or an alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C atoms which is
optionally substituted by one or more oxo groups or R.sup.7--O-- groupsor
R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form an aliphatic ring which contains a
total of 4 to 10 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 oxygen atom, wherein the ring
constituent represented by R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is optionally substituted
by one or more oxo groups and/or R.sup.7--O-- groups and/or aliphatic
radicals having 1 to 4 C atoms and R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, an aliphatic
radical having 1 to 4 C atoms or a --O--R.sup.5, --S--R.sup.5 or
--NR.sup.5R.sup.6 group,wherein, for R.sup.4 and R: R.sup.4 and R
independently of one another denote hydrogen, methyl or ethyland wherein,
for R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7: R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7
independently of one another denote hydrogen or an aliphatic radical
having 1 to 4 C atoms, a salt of such a hydroxyphenylalkadione of the
formula (I), a mixture comprising or consisting of two or more
different hydroxyphenylalkadiones of the formula (I), wherein X, a, Y, R,
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 in each
case have the meaning given above, a mixture comprising or consisting of
salts of two or more different hydroxyphenylalkadiones of the formula
(I), wherein X, a, Y, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5,
R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 in each case have the meaning given above,or a
mixture comprising or consisting of a hydroxyphenylalkadione of the
formula (I) or two or more different hydroxyphenylalkadiones of the
formula (I), wherein X, a, Y, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4,
R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 in each case have the meaning given above,
and a salt of a hydroxyphenylalkadione of the formula (I) or two or more
salts of different hydroxyphenylalkadiones of the formula (I), wherein X,
a, Y, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7
in each case have the meaning given above,for modifying, masking or
reducing the unpleasant flavour impression of an unpleasantly tasting
substance and/or for intensifying the sweet taste of a sweet-tasting
substance and/or the sweet odour impression of an aroma substance which
causes a sweet odour impression,as well as formulations and processes
including a hydroxyphenylalkadione of the formula (I), are described.
