Artificial sweeteners could soon taste just like sugar
- Date:
- August 25, 2025
- Source:
- Wiley
- Summary:
- Scientists have identified compounds that block bitter taste receptors activated by saccharin and acesulfame K. The most promising is (R)-(-)-carvone, which reduces bitterness without the cooling side effect of menthol, potentially making sugar-free products much more palatable.
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Some artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin and acesulfame K, have a bitter aftertaste that affects consumer acceptance of reduced-calorie foods and beverages. New research in FEBS Open Bio reveals the potential of compounds that inhibit bitter taste receptors to make artificial sweeteners more palatable.
Saccharin and acesulfame K are detected by two types of bitter taste receptors from the taste receptor type 2 (TAS2R) family: TAS2R31 and TAS2R43. When investigators measured the inhibitory effects of various compounds against TAS2R31, they found that menthols reduced the responses of TAS2R31-expressing cells to saccharin. Additionally, another compound called (R)-(-)-carvone (which gives spearmint leaves their sweetish minty smell) showed a strong inhibitory effect on TAS2R31 and TAS2R43 after the use of saccharin and acesulfame K.
Unlike menthol, (R)-(-)-carvone did not have a notable cooling sensation. As cooling sensation is often not desirable in food flavoring, (R)-(-)-carvone is a promising candidate for lessening the unpleasant aftertaste of artificial sweeteners.
"The bitter taste inhibitors identified in this study have potential applications in food products, suggesting their utility in enhancing the palatability of foods containing artificial sweeteners," said corresponding author Takumi Misaka, PhD, of the University of Tokyo.
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Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Miyuu Saito, Takumi Misaka. Menthol‐like cooling compounds, including (R)‐(‐)‐carvone, inhibit the human bitter taste receptors for saccharin and acesulfame K. FEBS Open Bio, 2025; DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.70098
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