2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The magic fruit is an evergreen shrub that reaches 5.5 meters in height, but rarely exceeds 1.5 meters. It grows in tropical West Africa. Its leaves are dark green, cylindrical. Its fruits are small and red in color, approximately 2-3 centimeters long, and resemble dogwood fruits.
The interesting thing about this fruit is that it contains a glycoprotein molecule as well as carbohydrate chains called miraculin. When the fleshy part of the fruit is eaten, this molecule binds to the taste buds of the tongue. At neutral pH, miraculin binds and blocks receptors, but at low pH (as a result of ingestion of acidic and bitter foods), miraculin binds proteins and thus activates sweet receptors, leading to the perception of a sweet taste. The effect lasts for about 30 minutes.
Years ago, sensory experiments were performed in the United States with these fruits. Tasters were allowed to eat sour and bitter foods such as lemons, radishes, pickles, hot sauce and beer to experience changes in taste.
Scientists claim that the magical fruit does not kill other food flavors, but simply turns bitter and sour into sweet.
In tropical West Africa, where this species originates, the fruit is used to sweeten palm wine. Attempts have been made to create a commercial sweetener from the fruit, with the idea of using it by patients with diabetes.
The magic fruit is also sought after by people with cancer, as it is said to counteract the metallic taste in the mouth, which can be one of the many side effects of chemotherapy.
The wonderful fruit, as it is also called, is on the EU's list of novel foods and requires a safety assessment before it can be sold as food or used as a food supplement.
The plant first attracted the attention of researchers in 1725, when they studied West Africa. Then they noticed that the locals plucked the red fruits from the bush and chewed them before eating.
An attempt was made in the United States in 1970 to commercialize the fruit for its ability to turn foods into calories without calories, but the attempt failed because the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the Magic Fruit as a dietary supplement..
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