Triterpene-glycosides as sweeteners or sweetener enhancers

1. A method of sweetening or enhancing sweetening effect, comprising

incorporating a sweetener compound of the following formula (I)

wherein R 1 is glucopyranosyl, R 2 is glucopyranosyl-1-(1→2)-[glucopyranosyl-(1→6)]-glucopyranosyl, and R 3 denotes hydrogen,

into a composition to sweeten or enhance the sweeting effect in the composition.

2. A method according claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula (I) is

2-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-6-(4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl)heptan-3-yloxy)-6-((3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)methyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yloxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol (compound E).

3. A method according to claim 1 , comprising the additional step of adding aroma compounds and/or flavouring agents and/or sweeteners and/or sweet-tasting substances.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the sweetener is an extract obtained aqueous and/or alcoholic extraction of the plant Momordica grosvenorii ( Synononym Siraitia grosvenori ).

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the compound of formula (I) is

(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-((2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-((3R,6R)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-6-((3S,8R,9R,13R,14S,17R)-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-3-((2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl)heptan-3-yloxy)-6-(((2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)methyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yloxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol (compound Ee).

6. A method according to claim 1 , comprising the additional step of

administering the composition to an individual in an effective amount sufficient to produce the desired degree of sweetness.