Researchers have identified three potent natural bitter compounds in a non-toxic fungus, revealing new insights into the importance of bitterness in nature’s warning signs. The discovery highlights the significance of oligoporin D, a triterpene glucoside extracted from the mushroom Amaropostia stiptica, which activates human bitter taste receptors at extremely low concentrations.
The findings enrich our understanding of bitterness and its role in ancient ecological interactions, potentially driving the diversification of taste receptors in early vertebrates. Moreover, natural bitterants like oligoporin D can engage extraoral receptors throughout the body, offering new avenues for research in digestion, immunity, and respiratory health.
This discovery also has practical applications, such as developing a natural, ultra-bitter coating to prevent accidental ingestion of household chemicals or pharmaceuticals. The expansion of our chemical map of bitterness also challenges existing predictive models and opens doors to innovative solutions.
Source: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-sunday-session-with-f-28944197/episode/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-272384054