Thaumatin – Naturally Masking Bitterness Dr. Thanyaporn Siriwoharn

Thaumatin is wild harvested from the West African rainforest. It is then extracted using physical water extraction technology © Naturex 2010

Thaumatococcus Daniellii © Naturex 2010

Thaumatin can simultaneously mask other elements. Thaumatin has the ability to enhance elements of the flavour and sweetener compounds. Thaumatin can simultaneously mask other elements. Thaumatin offers synergy with high intensity sweeteners flavouring ingredients Thaumatin is inherently a very versatile natural protein with a wide range of applications in pharmaceutical, supplements, food and beverage. Thaumatin’s performance lies in the structure and nature of the molecule and the way in which it interact with both the taste and flavour molecules.

© Naturex 2010

Thaumatin is effective at masking bitterness and overcoming the perception of off notes. This characteristic is of particular interest for functional foods, supplements, oral care and pharmaceutical applications. Increases the perceived mouth feel – even at very low dosage levels the result is a richer, creamier product.

Thaumatin - A Natural Bitterness Masker - 20% - 50% The bitterness perception line for a 0.2% peptide solution with added Thaumatin compared to a reference of peptide alone. The data is the mean of 10 trained panellists © Naturex 2010

Typically Thaumatin will be dosed into pharmaceutical products at an application rate of 10-150 ppm. Higher levels can be used where extremely bitter and metallic notes need masking. Typical areas of use include antibiotics (oral and tablet form), analgesics, antacids, cough syrups, common cold remedies, medicated gums and active pharmaceutical drugs. Powerful masking agent reducing bitterness and medicinal notes and improving palatability.

Thaumatin Modifying the taste of Stevia

Stevia Stevia is a natural product with a pleasant sweet profile at low sugar equivalent levels and a characteristic taste that can dominate at higher levels. In terms of total sweetness Stevia doesn’t have the linear sweetness of sugar and its maximum achievable sweetness is a bit below what is needed in some products such as carbonated beverage.

Thaumatin Modifying the Taste of Reb A Using a Reb A with a purity greater than 97% the solutions tested at both pH3 and pH4 were: 400ppm Reb A, 400ppm Reb A + Thaumatin 0.5ppm 400ppm Reb A + Thaumatin 1 ppm 400ppm Reb A + Thaumatin 4ppm These solutions were rated twice using the same scale. Once for “sweetness intensity” and again for “bitterness intensity”. It was made clear to the panellists that the term “bitterness” is being used to describe the “off taste”, “musty”, “liquorice” and “the sensation left over when you take away sweet and acid”. However, for the purpose of the experiment, and to avoid confusion, the term was kept as “bitterness”.

pH 3

Sweetness Intensity: pH 3 © Naturex 2010

Bitterness Intensity: pH 3 © Naturex 2010

Sweet & Bitter Intensity 400ppm Reb A at pH 3 Control Dominant clean sweet taste © Naturex 2010

400ppm Reb A + 1ppm Thaumatin at pH 3 Added Thaumatin Dominant clean sweet taste Large area with a clean sweet taste and sweet end profile © Naturex 2010

pH 3 400ppm Reb A 400ppm Reb A + 1ppm Thaumatin® © Naturex 2010

pH 4

Sweet & Bitter Intensity 400ppm Reb A at pH4 Control Dominant clean sweet taste © Naturex 2010

400ppm Reb A + 0.5ppm Thaumatin at pH4 Added Thaumatin Dominant clean sweet taste. Increase area of clean sweet taste profile © Naturex 2010

pH 4 400ppm Reb A 400ppm Reb A + 0.5ppm Thaumatin® © Naturex 2010

In Summary A very low dose level of Thaumatin – between 0.5 and 1ppm - helps to create a cleaner sweet taste and increase acceptable dose level of Reb A. Thaumatin - a building block approach. Add desired sweetness and acidity in the base matrix – e.g. beverage, ice-cream or candy. Optimise the sweet taste profile with Thaumatin to create a cleaner tasting base point Add additional flavour ingredients to create the finished product. Why add Thaumatin before other flavour ingredients? Thaumatin is multifunctional and enhances and modifies flavours simultaneously. One step at a time is always best with Thaumatin.

Successful Applications Beverages Sweetener Blends Pharmaceuticals Table Top Sweeteners Animal Feed Flavours Chewing Gum Vitamin Tablets Oral Care Baked Products Dairy Products

Listed in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives and permitted for general use is food according to GMP. Wide approval as a sweetener and/or food enhancer in over 30 countries including Brazil, South Africa, Australia and Japan Thaumatin was allocated in 1985 an ‘ADI not specified’ by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert committee of Food Additives, indicating its acceptability for use in foods generally. Published Thaumatin Safety Study (Higginbotham, J.D. et al, 1983 Fd. Chem. Tox. Vol 21, No 6, Pp 815-823)

All natural Multi-function Flavour Promoter Taste Modifier Sweet Protein Powerful masking agent reducing bitterness and medicinal notes and improving palatability

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