thaumatin Biochem.
(ˈθɔːmətɪn)
[f. Thaumat(ococcus, mod.L. generic name (f. thaumato- + coccus) + -in1.]
Either or both of two related sweet-tasting proteins isolated from the fruit of the African plant Thaumatococcus daniellii.
| 1972 van der Wel & Loeve in European Jrnl. Biochem. XXXI. 221/1 This paper deals with the isolation and characterization of the sweet principles we call thaumatin I and II. Ibid. 225/2 The thaumatins are the first sweet-tasting proteins that have been found in nature. 1973 [see monellin]. 1980 Nature 24 Apr. 653/2 Tate and Lyle..are to apply recombinant DNA techniques to improve production of the protein thaumatin—a substance 2,500 times sweeter than a 10% sugar solution. |