Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2026

In vitro Digestion of Emulsions in a Single Droplet via Multi Subphase Exchange of Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids
Published on: November 18, 2022
Bitterness and Salivary Lubrication Properties of Soyasaponin Acid Hydrolysis Products
Zili Zhou1, Qing Jiang1, Xiuying Liu1
1Key Laboratory for Deep Processing of Major Grain and Oil, Ministry of Education; School of Food Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei430028, China.
Abstract:
Soyasaponins (Ssa) are strongly bitter, limiting food applications. In this study, acid hydrolysis generated secondary Ssa and aglycones, characterized by HPLC-TOF-MS. Bitterness decreases upon hydrolysis, with the sensory score increasing from 71.3 for native Ssa to 85.8 after complete hydrolysis. This reduction is attributed to the lower binding affinity of hydrolyzed Ssa for bitter taste receptors and mucin. Cellular assays demonstrated that Ssa Bb activated TAS2R14 (EC50 = 23.60 ± 16.53 μM) and TAS2R16 (EC50 = 451.8 ± 241.3 μM). Astringency changes correlated with interfacial and lubricating alterations. ITC indicates increased hydrophobicity of the complexes formed between salivary mucin and the samples, with the enthalpy decreased from 80.0 to 1.75 kcal/mol with hydrolysis temperature. Oral friction profiles show that Ssa and its hydrolysates reduce the friction coefficient of saliva. These findings provide a theoretical basis of the mechanisms underlying bitterness perception by saponins.
Related Concept Videos
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
Salivary Glands and Saliva
Production of Organic Acids
Solvating Effects
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Amino acids

