Recent developments in the characterization and biotechnological production of sweet-tasting proteins (original) (raw)
Abstract
The state of the art regarding the six known sweet-tasting proteins (thaumatin, monellin, mabinlin, pentadin, brazzein and curculin) and the taste-modifying protein miraculin is reviewed. Their biochemical properties, molecular genetics and biotechnological production are assessed. All of these proteins have been isolated from plants that grow in tropical rainforests. They share no sequence homology or structural similarities. Nonetheless, one of them, thaumatin, shares extensive homology with certain non-sweet proteins found in other plants. The potential industrial applications of the sweet-tasting proteins are also discussed, placing special emphasis on the barriers that a recombinant product of these characteristics will have to overcome before it reaches the market.
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Authors and Affiliations
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, URIACH GROUP, Arnau de Vilanova, 22-42, E-08105 Sant Fost de Campsentelles (Barcelona), Spain e-mail: urquima@uriach.com Tel.: +34-93-5705450 Fax: +34-93-5702476, , , , , , ES
I. Faus
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Received: 14 June 1999 / Received revision: 30 August 1999 / Accepted: 3 September 1999
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Faus, I. Recent developments in the characterization and biotechnological production of sweet-tasting proteins.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 53, 145–151 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530050001
- Issue date: February 2000
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530050001