Beta-cyclodextrin/surface plasmon resonance detection system for sensing bitter-astringent taste intensity of green tea catechins

J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Jul 28;58(14):8351-6. doi: 10.1021/jf1012693.

Abstract

To develop a methodology for creating a sensor with a receptor for specific taste substances, we focused on constructing a sensing system for the bitter-astringent taste intensity of green tea catechins: (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCg), (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECg), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epicatechin (EC). (1)H NMR titration experiments revealed that beta-cyclodextrin was an adequate receptor for sensing the bitter-astringent taste intensity of catechins. A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system immobilized beta-cyclodextrin indicated larger responses for the gallate-type catechins in comparison to the non-gallate-type catechins. These responses corresponded to the tendency of the bitter-astringent taste intensity of the catechins felt by humans. Furthermore, the SPR system detected the larger stability of the complex between the gallate-type catechins and beta-cyclodextrin, which was interpreted as the aftertaste produced in humans by the gallate-type catechins. These results demonstrate that the beta-cyclodextrin/SPR system can sense the bitter-astringent taste intensity of the green tea catechins similar to human gustation. The methodology presented in this study can be used as a basic strategy for developing taste sensors with specific receptor functions.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
  • Catechin / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / analysis*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods*
  • Taste*
  • Tea / chemistry*
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / analysis*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • Catechin
  • betadex