T7638

Thaumatin from Thaumatococcus daniellii

• Synonym(s): Thaumatin Protein
• NACRES: NA.56
• UNSPSC Code: 12352202
• Form: powder
• Biological source: plant (Thaumatococcus daniellii)
• Mol wt: ~22 kDa

Properties

• biological source: plant (Thaumatococcus daniellii)
• Quality Segment: 200
• form: powder
• mol wt: ~22 kDa
• storage temp.: 2-8°C

Description

General description

Thaumatin is a super sweet protein extracted from the African plant katemfe, Thaumatococcus daniellii Benth. This non-toxic protein is a member of the broad family of pathogenesis-related proteins (group PR5). Thaumatin exists in five isoforms namely thaumatin I, II, III, a, and b.

Application

Thaumatin from Thaumatococcus daniellii has been used:

• as a positive control/standard to detect the amount of recombinant thaumatin in the milk of transgenic mice using western blot
• as a standard to compare its retention time with Vitis vinifera thaumatin-like proteins (VVTL1) occurring in free-run juice and determine the pathogenesis-related protein content in grape juices
• as a model protein to study its interaction with free and ligated decavanadate

Biochem/physiol Actions

Thaumatin is a zero-calorie sweetener and flavor enhancer that finds its use in food industries. It has antifungal activity and elicits protective functions in plants. Thaumatin is useful in pharmaceutics as it is a constituent of special low-calorie diets.

Recently it was shown the over expression of the thaumatin gene from Thaumatococcus daniellii in tomatoes caused the fruit to have a sweeter taste, suggesting that thaumatin could be used to enhance the taste of various foods.

Analysis Note

A mixture of thaumatin I and thaumatin II with traces of other sweet proteins.

Safety Information

• Storage Class: 11 - Combustible Solids
• wgk: WGK 3
• flash_point_f: Not applicable
• flash_point_c: Not applicable
• ppe: Eyeshields, Gloves, type N95 (US)