[Where lies the boundary between common sensation and taste perception in electrogustometry (author's transl)]

The shift of the electrogustatory threshold following section of the corda tympani has been investigated in 14 patients. Postoperatively the anterior half of the tongue showed complete ageusia. Two thirds of the patients were able to recognize stimulations of 50-127 muA as a burning, and not a sour metallic, sensation for at least 1-2 weeks. Probably the trigeminal nerve endings perceive this burning sensation during the period of taste bud degeneration. A similar situation exists in cases where the gustatory fibres are interrupted proximal to the gustatory ganglion, because the tasts buds do not degenerate. It is therefore important to ask the patient to describe the sensation experienced. Only a sour metallic taste during electrogustometry should be regarded as a true gustatory sensation.

Genetic variation in Nigeria. I. The genetics of phenylthiourea tasting ability

Phenylthiourea (PTC) taste sensitivity thresholds have been measured for 2,013 Nigerians using a modified sorting technique. The frequency of non-tasters was observed to be 12.5% and the t gene frequency was 0.354. There was a significant difference between the sexes at the 0.01 level for the overall population. However, when the data are analyzed according to the geographical origin of the subject, the sex difference is found only in one of three geographical regions. Also, there may be geographical influences on PTC taste sensitivity, although this was not statistically significant. The estimates reported in this population differ considerably from some of the previously published estimates for black populations.

Phenylthiocarbamide taste threshold distribution among the Rastogis of India

The PTC taste threshold distribution has been examined among the Rastogis and compared to those of other Indian caste groups of Uttar Pradesh.