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Published on: June 20, 2010
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Taste perception of cyclic oligosaccharides: α, β, and γ cyclodextrins
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Chemical Senses
|April 9, 2022
Summary
Cyclodextrins, cyclic carbohydrates, are tasted by humans and interact with the sweet taste receptor, unlike their linear counterparts. This suggests a novel pathway for carbohydrate taste perception.
Area of Science:
- Sensory Science
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Oligosaccharides (a subclass of complex carbohydrates) are present in food and formed during starch digestion.
- Linear maltooligosaccharides (MOS) are tasteable by humans, independent of the sweet taste receptor.
- Cyclodextrins (CD) are cyclic structural isomers of MOS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cyclic structure and size (degree of polymerization; DP) on the taste perception of maltooligosaccharides.
- To determine if cyclodextrins interact with the human sweet taste receptor (hT1R2/hT1R3).
Main Methods:
- Taste detection thresholds for cyclodextrins (α-, β-, γ-CD with DP 6, 7, 8) were assessed in aqueous solutions.
- Taste detection was evaluated in the presence and absence of lactisole, a sweet receptor antagonist.
Main Results:
- Subjects could significantly detect the taste of cyclodextrins (P < 0.05).
- Taste detection of cyclodextrins was abolished in the presence of lactisole (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Cyclodextrins, unlike linear maltooligosaccharides, appear to be ligands of the human sweet taste receptor (hT1R2/hT1R3).
- The cyclic structure of saccharides influences their interaction with taste receptors and their perceived taste.
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