The correlation between taste and structure of lupin alkaloids

摘要

A topological molecular matrix of the bitter taste receptor has been constructed by a superposition of model bitter compounds. The matrix allows the analysis of correlations between the taste of individual compounds and their spatial structure. The main important factor in the chemoreception of taste is the conformation of the alkaloid molecules. Results of the computer analysis were supported by sensory tests. Among the alkaloids investigated, sparteine was the most bitter.