Taste-structure correlation with alpha-D-mannose and beta-D-mannose.

The so-called ambiguity of taste perception of D-mannose has been traced to actual differences in taste between the two anomers of this substance. Preliminary data indicate strongly that the alpha-anomer is sweet (sucrose-like) and the beta-anomer is bitter (quinine-like). The difference in taste is attributed to the slight difference in structures of the anomers.