Sweetness of bulk sweeteners in aqueous solution in the presence of salts

The perceived effect of adding salts on the sweetness of bulk sweeteners (sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol and xylitol) depends on the sweetener type and concentration and on the type of salt. Sodium chloride enhances the sweetness of all the sweeteners to some degree. Potassium chloride has little effect on any sweetener other than sorbitol, which shows sweetness enhancement at low sorbitol concentrations and suppression at high sorbitol concentrations. Magnesium chloride additions tend to enhance sweetness, particularly of sucrose and glucose. The effects observed can not be ascribed to any inherent sweetness of the salts themselves, suggesting that the observed effects are a result of interactions between the salts and sweeteners in the aqueous medium.