Thaumatin

Thaumatin is a protein that is isolated from the katemfe fruit, Thaumatococcus daniellii Benth, also called “the miraculous fruit of Sudan.” Katemfe is common in the West African rainforest zone. The fruit contains 1-3 black seeds surrounded by a gel and capped with a membranous sac, the aril, which contains the sweet material. This is used as a sweetener in cooking, flavoring palm wine, and making confections for children. It is a low-calorie sweetener and flavor modifier. The protein is often used primarily for its flavor-modifying properties and not exclusively as a sweetener.