A study of the solution properties of selected binary mixtures of bulk andintense sweeteners in relation to their psychophysical characteristics

The solution properties of binary mixtures of two bulk sweeteners (sucrose and maltitol) and three intense sweeteners (acesulfame K, aspartame and sod ium cyclamate) were studied. The parameters measured were apparent specific volumes, isentropic compressibilities and compressibility hydration number s. An attempt has been made to correlate the solution properties of some of the mixtures with their sweetness responses. Both specific volume and isen tropic; compressibility data have been used to interpret the possibility of synergism or suppression in the mixtures in terms of the affinity of the s olutes for the surrounding solvent structure, and hence the effectiveness o f transport of the molecules to their appropriate receptor sites. However, an understanding of the nature and stereochemistry of the individual compon ents in the mixtures is necessary for predicting the packing characteristic s of molecules in water and their accession to receptor sites. The intense: sweeteners seem to play an important role in modifying the structure of wat er in solution. Although there is no clear proof Of how this affects percep tion, fine differences in solution behaviour can be Observed with isentropi c apparent specific compressibility measurements. The study supports the id ea that receptors lie at different depths in the lingual epithelium, and al so that in two-component systems, one species may alter the packing efficie ncy of the other in solution sufficiently to effect a change in taste quali fy or intensity. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.