Monatin
Appearance
Names | |
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IUPAC name
(4S)-4-Hydroxy-4-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]-L-glutamic acid
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Systematic IUPAC name
(2S,4S)-4-Amino-2-hydroxy-2-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]pentanedioic acid | |
Other names
2-Hydroxy-2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-aminoglutaric acid
(S)-4-Hydroxy-4-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-L-glutamic acid | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChemSpider | |
PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C14H16N2O5 | |
Molar mass | 292.291 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Monatin, commonly known as arruva, is a naturally occurring, high intensity sweetener isolated from the plant Sclerochiton ilicifolius, found in the Transvaal region of South Africa. Monatin contains no carbohydrate or sugar, and nearly no food energy, unlike sucrose or other nutritive sweeteners.[1]
The name "monatin" is derived from the indigenous word for it, "molomo monate," which literally means "mouth nice."[2]
Monatin is an indole derivative and, upon degradation, smells like feces.[3]
It is 3000 times sweeter than sugar.[4]
See also
References
External links
- Media related to Monatin at Wikimedia Commons