Synsepalum dulcificum
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Synsepalum dulcificum produces berries that, when eaten, cause sour foods (such as lemons and limes) subsequently consumed to taste sweet. This effect is due to miraculin, which is used commercially as a sugar substitute. Common names for this species and its berry includemiracle fruit[2] and miracle berry. These common names are shared also by Gymnema sylvestre and Thaumatococcus daniellii,[2] two other species that are used to alter the perceived sweetness of foods. Additional common names include miraculous berry [2] and sweet berry.[3][4][5] In West Africa where the species originates, common names include agbayun,[6] taami, asaa, and ledidi.
The berry itself has a low sugar content[7] and a mildly sweet tang. It contains a glycoprotein molecule, with some trailing carbohydrate chains, called miraculin.[8][9] When the fleshy part of the fruit is eaten, this molecule binds to the tongue's taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet. While the exact cause for this change is unknown, one theory is that miraculin works by distorting the shape of sweetness receptors"so that they become responsive to acids, instead of sugar and other sweet things".[10] This effect lasts 15–60 minutes.[11]
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Si esto estuviera a las manos de la medicina.
