Saccharin inhibits carbonic anhydrases: Possible explanation for its unpleasant metallic aftertaste

Abstract

A matter of taste: The sweetner saccharin (a cyclic sulfimide, see picture) is nearly completely absorbed and eliminated through the urine, and is thus exposed to many different proteins in the body. It binds at nanomolar levels to some carbonic anhydrases and this provokes the question of its inert properties. It is known that the plasma level slowly decreases after oral dosing, and CAVI binding could explain its unpleasant metallic aftertaste. (Figure Presented). © 2007 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.