Gustatory responses of pigs to various natural and artificial compounds known to be sweet in man

The gustatory preferences in pigs towards 33 compounds known to be sweet in humans were evaluated through a specific two-choice preference method. All the 14 carbohydrates tested are preferred over water, sucrose being the most effective. Sucrose and fructose response intensities are identical in pigs and humans but lactose, maltose, D-glucose and D-galactose are two times less efficient in pigs. The molar order of effectiveness is sucrose > D-fructose > maltose = lactose > D-glucose > D-galactose, roughly similar to humans. As in humans, D-glucose, L-glucose and methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside display equal potency, while methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside is ineffective. The 7 polyols tested are attractive; xylitol is the preferred one, being as effective as sucrose. Out of 12 intense sweeteners tested, 7 are ineffective (aspartame, cyclamate, monellin, NHDC, P-4000, perillartine, thaumatin), and 5 are attractive (acesulfame-K, saccharin, alitame, dulcin, sucralose), but with a much weaker efficiency (acesulfame, 18xless; saccharin, 65xless) than with humans. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.