title: Evaluation of plant extracts for sweetness using the Mongolian gerbil.
abstract: Extracts of Thladiantha grosvenorii fruits, Stevia rebaudiana leaves, and Abrus precatorius leaves were investigated using Mongolian gerbil electrophysiological and conditioned taste aversion procedures, which were designed to respond to sucrose. A close correlation was observed between extracts of these sweet plants known to contain sweet principles and those extracts indicated as being sweet by a combination of these gerbil bioassays. The methods employed seem to be suitable for use in aiding the purification of highly sweet compounds of plant origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Herbert H. Lehman College, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jakinovich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kinghorn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D002814:Chorda Tympani Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013549:Sweetening Agents