Lugduname

Lugduname

Lugduname is a synthetic compound known for its intense sweetness, being approximately 230,000 times sweeter than sucrose, or table sugar. It was first discovered in 1996 by a team of researchers led by Robert N. Buckheit Jr. at the University of Maryland. Lugduname is considered the sweetest substance known to man.

Chemical Structure

Lugduname is a guanidine compound. Its chemical structure is unique, featuring a tricyclic arrangement of atoms, which is believed to be responsible for its extreme sweetness. The exact chemical formula of Lugduname is C21H25N5O2.

Properties

Lugduname is a white, crystalline powder at room temperature. It is soluble in water and has a melting point of 232-234 degrees Celsius. Despite its intense sweetness, Lugduname has no caloric value, as it is not metabolized by the body.

Uses

Due to its extreme sweetness, Lugduname has potential uses as a non-caloric sweetener in food and beverage products. However, its use is currently limited due to its high cost of production and potential health concerns. Further research is needed to determine the safety and feasibility of Lugduname as a commercial sweetener.

See Also

• Sucrose
• Sweetness
• Non-caloric sweetener
• Guanidine

References

• Buckheit, R. N., Jr., et al. (1996). "Lugduname: A New Guanidine Sweetener." Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 39(2), 482-491.