According to available data, there are many kinds of sweet proteins in nature, but this raw material has long been not as popular as stevia, erythritol such sweeteners market, and has not been fully developed products, more typical sweet proteins are mystery fruit, Brazil sweet proteins, sweet proteins of cynthia, horse betel nut sweet proteins, etc..
Recently, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 to the public, approving the dried fruit of mystery fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) to be put on the market as a new resource food in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the amended Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.
Back on November 14, 2018, Medicinal Gardens S.L. submitted an application to the European Commission under Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 for the placing on the EU market of the dried fruit of the mystery fruit as a new resource food. Also, the product can be used in the food supplement product category with a maximum daily intake of 0.7 g. The target population is adults in general, with the exception of pregnant and lactating women.
Mysticum belongs to the genus Mysticum in the family of Rangeidae and is a perennial evergreen shrub. The fruit is single borne, oval in shape and bright red when ripe. It is mysterious because of its unique flavor-changing function, and is an interesting, ornamental and edible plant. The fruit is native to West Africa around Ghana and Congo, and was introduced to the southern region of China in the 1960s. It is traditionally eaten before other fruits such as citrus, or before foods and beverages made from sour palm.
In 1968, a Japanese scientist from Florida State University, Kenzo Asuhara, isolated this substance (Miraculin) from the fruit and published the results in the journal Science Magazine, thus opening the door to the taste-altering properties of the mystery fruit. Miraculin
Miraculin is a unique glycoprotein found in the pulp of the berry that binds to the sweet taste receptors (HT1R2 and HT1R3) on the human tongue. It transforms into a sweetness inducer when encountering acid, which is not sweet itself, and will sweeten sour foods and drinks. However, the question of how mystery fruit proteins allow taste buds to make taste modifications has still not been reasonably explained.
However, it should be noted that only under acidic conditions can the magical fruit protein activate the sweet taste receptors, so eating this stuff and then eating sweet food will not feel sweet. Only if you eat sour food again, you will feel sweet.
Mystic Fruit is a low-calorie ingredient that is also rich in antioxidant polyphenols and vitamin C. Currently, the ingredient can be used in specific areas such as taste management, diabetes, and weight management. In the nutritional field, it can be used as a natural taste modifier to change consumers' perception of their diet. In specific food and beverage applications, it can be used in ice cream, juice, popsicles, functional foods, snacks, chewing gum, etc.
In terms of specific product applications, taste disorders are a potential direction. About 5% of the population suffers from taste disorders, with a prevalence of 56-76% in certain specific physical conditions. Taste disorders can affect the quality of life of consumers, causing malnutrition and reducing life expectancy.
Weight management is also a promising direction. About 40% of adults are overweight and 15% of them are obese. This is a chronic disease. This sweetening protein can help people to reduce sugar cravings, promote satiety and avoid artificial sweeteners that alter microorganisms. Thus, by improving the palatability of low-carbohydrate foods, compliance with weight management diets is increased.
