Protein sweetener
Disclosed herein are sweet proteins that are variants of Brazzein, and nucleotide sequences capable of expressing them. Through a replacement of a tyrosine residue at the C terminus in the naturally occurring Brazzein sequence, or the insertion of two residues (at least one being isoleucine, glycine or proline) before the N terminus of wild type Brazzein, sweetness potency, the taste profile and sweetness strength are improved.
1. A peptide having a different sweetness potency from naturally occurring Brazzein, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 where Xaa is not Tyr.
2. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein Xaa is Phe.
3. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein Xaa is Trp.
4. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein Xaa is His.
5. A nucleotide sequence capable of expressing a peptide of claim 1 .