Thaumatin

Thaumatin (CAS 53850-34-3), approved as E957, is a natural protein sweetener extracted from the West African katemfe fruit. At roughly 2,000 to 3,000 times the sweetness of sucrose by weight, it functions primarily as a high-intensity sweetener.

This ingredient acts as a powerful flavor modifier at very low use levels. In food and beverage formulations, it masks bitter and astringent off-notes from ingredients such as caffeine and steviol glycosides.

It allows formulators to reduce or replace less clean-tasting alternatives effectively. Confectionery, chewing gum, and tabletop sweetener manufacturers use it to round out sweetness profiles without adding calories.

In pharmaceutical oral dosage forms like tablets, syrups, and lozenges, it suppresses the bitterness of active ingredients. This improves patient compliance and overall product palatability for the end user.

Personal care applications include use in oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. In these applications, it significantly improves flavor perception and masks the taste of functional additives.

The product is supplied as a white to off-white powder, typically standardized to minimum 16% or higher protein content. It is available in food-grade specifications compliant with FEMA 3732 designations.

Pharmaceutical-grade material meeting additional purity requirements is available for oral healthcare and drug formulation use. This ensures the highest quality standards for sensitive medical and health applications.