Characterization of the Sweet Taste Properties of Cyclodextrins and Their Derivatives and Their Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides with
versatile
functions and applications. However, knowledge about their taste properties
and underlying molecular mechanisms is still quite limited. In this
research, the sweet tastes of α-, β-, and γ-CDs
were re-evaluated by a sensory test, and their efficacy to activate
the human sweet taste receptor Tas1R2/Tas1R3 was examined with a cell-based
assay. The results indicate that CDs are orthodox sweet taste ligands
that activate human Tas1R2/Tas1R3. Furthermore, the sweet taste properties
of the five derivatives of CDs were also clarified. Moreover, CDs
could be classified as a primitive group of sweeteners based on the
species-dependent sweet taste. Lastly, it is suggested that the organization
of AH, B, and X glucophores in CDs is responsible for their interaction
with human Tas1R2/Tas1R3, while the molecular compatibility of the
integral configuration is essential for their sweetening power. Our
findings provide novel insights for a deeper understanding of the
structure–activity relationships of these important biomolecules.