Brazzein: A Natural Sweetener

Abstract

Brazzein is a 54-amino acid, heat-stable sweetener derived from the ripe fruit of the West African plant Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baillon. Its historical use as a sweetener testifies to its safety, and it has been extensively studied, both in regard to its structure and interaction with taste receptors. It has also been investigated as a possible commercial product to fulfill the need for a natural, low-calorie, heat-stable sweetener. Here, we review brazzein in the context of other sweeteners and examine attempts to produce brazzein in recombinant systems.