Unlocking the Secrets of the Sixth Taste: Après l'Unami Discovery!
Unlocking the Secrets of the Sixth Taste: Après l'Unami Discovery!
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| Unlocking the Secrets of the Sixth Taste: Après l'Unami Discovery! |
In a fascinating revelation, scientists at an American university have unveiled a surprising discovery: the human tongue reacts to ammonium chloride, a compound found in certain Scandinavian candies, much like it does to other tastes.
Our taste buds are well-acquainted with sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and more recently, umami. However, it appears that they might also respond to a sixth taste: ammonium chloride. This intriguing insight comes from researchers at the University of South Carolina in the United States, as reported by GEO magazine.
The Not-So-Appetizing Taste
In their study published on October 5th in Nature Communications, the researchers found that the tongue reacts to ammonium chloride, a key ingredient in Scandinavian treats like salmiak, a type of salty licorice.
It's worth noting that our taste buds contain between 50 and 150 taste receptors, each specialized in detecting different flavors. During a laboratory experiment, scientists observed that the taste receptors responsible for detecting sour flavors also responded to ammonium chloride. This compound activates a protein called OTOP1, present in these receptors. Emily Liman, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California and a co-author of the study, stated, "We found that ammonium chloride is a very potent activator of the OTOP1 channel. It activates it just as well, if not better, than acids."
To delve deeper into their findings, the team conducted experiments with mice. Some mice had an active OTOP1 protein, while others did not. The mice were given a choice between regular water and water containing ammonium chloride. They observed that the mice lacking OTOP1 did not seem to mind the taste, while the others found ammonium chloride unappealing and did not consume the second drink.
Emily Liman affirmed, "This was the turning point. It shows that the OTOP1 channel is essential for the behavioral response to ammonium."
A Survival Instinct?
In addition to candies, ammonium is also present in products such as fertilizers and can be toxic. "It makes sense that we've developed taste mechanisms to detect it," added Liman. This sixth taste, present in various species, could be a biological survival trait. Further research will be necessary to confirm this intriguing hypothesis.
In conclusion, the discovery of the potential sixth taste, ammonium chloride, opens up a new realm of understanding in the world of taste perception. Our taste buds, it seems, are even more complex and nuanced than previously thought.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is ammonium chloride, and where is it commonly found?
Ammonium chloride is a chemical compound found in certain foods, especially Scandinavian candies like salmiak, as well as in various industrial products such as fertilizers.
2. How did scientists discover the sixth taste?
Researchers at the University of South Carolina conducted experiments in which they found that taste receptors responsible for detecting sour flavors also respond to ammonium chloride.
3. Why might our tongues have evolved to detect ammonium chloride?
Ammonium chloride can be toxic in high concentrations, so it's plausible that our taste mechanisms have evolved to help us detect and avoid it for survival.
4. What is the significance of the OTOP1 protein in this discovery?
The OTOP1 protein appears to play a crucial role in the tongue's response to ammonium chloride, as observed in experiments with mice.
5. Are there any potential practical applications for this discovery?
While it's early days, this discovery could have implications for understanding taste perception and potentially lead to the development of new food products or flavor enhancers. Further research is needed to explore these possibilities.
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