Ziziphin
Ziziphin, a triterpene glycoside which exhibits taste-modifying properties, has been isolated from the leaves of Ziziphus jujuba (Rhamnaceae).
Among ziziphin's known homologues found in this plant, it is the most anti-sweet. However, its anti-sweet activity is less effective than gymnemic acid 1, an another anti-sweet compound glycoside isolated from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae).[1]
Ziziphin reduce perceived sweetness of most of the carbohydrates (e.g. glucose, fructose), bulk sweeteners, intense sweeteners (natural: steviol glycoside – artificial: sodium saccharine and aspartame) and sweet amino acids (e.g. glycine). However, it has no effect on the perception of the other tastes, bitterness, sourness and saltiness.[2]
References
- ^ Kinghorn, A.D. and Compadre, C.M. Alternative Sweeteners: Third Edition, Revised and Expanded, Marcel Dekker ed., New York, 2001. ISBN 0-8247-0437-1
- ^ Kurihara, Y. (1992). "Characteristics of antisweet substances, sweet proteins, and sweetness-inducing proteins". Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 32: 231–252.