Modifying the temporal profile of the high-potency sweetener neotame

It is possible, using hydrophobic organic acids (such as cinnamate) or hydroxyamino acids (such as serine and tyrosine), to modify the temporal profile of the high-potency sweetener neotame. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, it was concluded that it is unlikely that this effect is due to direct interaction between the neotame molecule and the taste modifier. It is shown, using conformational analysis and molecular modeling, that the taste modifiers can adopt low-energy conformers which mimic the proposed active conformation of neotame, which suggests that the modifiers may compete for binding at the receptor site.