Functional aspects of the protein sweetener, thaumatin by irradiation

A test was conducted on the effects of irradiation on thaumatin, a protein food additive for sweetener, by using the techniques of HPLC analysis and sensory evalution, and it was confirmedthat irradiated of 5kGy or more may prevent bacterial contamination without changing thaumatin qualitativelyand quantitatively. Such test also indicated that such irradiation will not reduce our otherwise affect thaumatin's function of sweetening foods.