The threshold of sweet taste recognition among a sample of Moroccan population

Purpose Sugar consumption in Morocco is high, which is involved in triggering serious health conditions. Hence, assessing the recognition threshold of sweet taste among Moroccans is strongly needed. This study aims to determine the threshold of sweet taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and body mass index among a sample of Moroccan population. Design/methodology/approach This single-blind trial was conducted among 199 healthy participants to determine the sweet taste. Age and anthropometric characteristics were registered. Nine sucrose solutions of the following concentrations (0; 0.111; 0.333; 1; 3; 9; 27; 81; 243 mmol/L) were prepared. Sweet taste perception thresholds were determined based on the validated 3-alternative forced choice test method. Findings The average age of the sample population was 21.5 ± 26.1. And more than half (51.7%) detected the taste at the concentration of 9 mmol/L, while 91.9% recognized it at a concentration of 27 mmol/L. In terms of sex, the recognition of taste was not different between females and males (p > 0.05). The mean values of the threshold among women were significantly lower (20 ± 20.8 mmol/L) compared to men (23.9 ± 33.2 mmol/L). The age group 49–59 years old had the lowest threshold with a mean of 13.4 ± 10.2 mmol/L, and the groups with BMI in the overweight category had mean of 16.9 ± 18.2 mmol/L. However, no statistical difference was observed among either age groups or BMI categories. Originality/value The sweet recognition threshold among the studied population is high. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to educate the population about the necessity of a progressive reduction of sugar in food items to combat non-communicable disorders.

Development Of Speech Material For An Armenian Speech Recognition Threshold Test

Introduction — For the Armenian language, no standardized audiometric speech perception test is available. The purpose of this research was to develop, digitally record and evaluate an Armenian multisyllabic speech audiometry test, which can be used to measure speech recognition thresholds in Armenian native speakers. Material and Methods — To create a homogeneous multisyllabic speech corpus, Armenian numerals from 10-100 with 2-4 syllables were selected as general sample and digitally recorded by a female native Armenian speaker. For equalizing the speech recognition threshold between the test items, the speech discrimination function for each numeral was subsequently evaluated by five normal hearing native Armenian listeners in an experimental study. Results — Based on the phonemic structure of the Armenian language, 20 phonemically homogeneous test lists were created. The phoneme distributions of each test list correlated significantly and positively with that of the general sample (all Pearson moment correlation coefficients >0.960; all ps <0.001). Comparison of the phoneme distributions of test lists to that of the Armenian language showed that the test lists represent the language corpus quite well. After adjusting for actual threshold levels, speech discrimination functions are comparable between all numerals used. Conclusion — The developed test lists are a phonetically homogenous representation of the Armenian language and serve as an appropriated base for future clinical measurements of speech recognition threshold in Armenian speaking listeners.

Factors Underlying Individual Differences in Speech-Recognition Threshold (SRT) in Noise Among Older Adults

Many older adults have difficulty understanding speech in noisy backgrounds. In this study, we examined peripheral auditory, higher-level auditory, and cognitive factors that may contribute to such difficulties. A convenience sample of 137 volunteer older adults, 90 women, and 47 men, ranging in age from 47 to 94 years (M = 69.2 and SD = 10.1 years) completed a large battery of tests. Auditory tests included measures of pure-tone threshold, clinical and psychophysical, as well as two measures of gap-detection threshold and four measures of temporal-order identification. The latter included two monaural and two dichotic listening conditions. In addition, cognition was assessed using the complete Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd Edition (WAIS-III). Two monaural measures of speech-recognition threshold (SRT) in noise, the QuickSIN, and the WIN, were obtained from each ear at relatively high presentation levels of 93 or 103 dB SPL to minimize audibility concerns. Group data, both aggregate and by age decade, were evaluated initially to allow comparison to data in the literature. Next, following the application of principal-components factor analysis for data reduction, individual differences in speech-recognition-in-noise performance were examined using multiple-linear-regression analyses. Excellent fits were obtained, accounting for 60–77% of the total variance, with most accounted for by the audibility of the speech and noise stimuli and the severity of hearing loss with the balance primarily associated with cognitive function.

Evaluation of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaf Powder for Assessing Gustatory Function and Comparison with Other Tastants

Aims: Azadirachta indica (meliacea), popularly known as neem has extreme bitter taste however it has high medicinal properties. The study aimed to use the bitterness property of neem leaf powder to assess the bitter taste along with other tastants and to check reliability of this newly introduced method. Materials and methods: 60 healthy subjects were recruited in the present study. Bitter, sweet, salt, sour and umami taste solutions are prepared in three different concentrations. Gustatory recognition threshold was recorded against each concentration of five tastants solutions. Results: A significant difference in the first concentration (.003) of neem between all age groups (p=0.026) but no significant difference in the second and third concentrations were observed. Males have higher gustatory recognition threshold in almost all levels of taste parameters. However, medium and higher concentrations of neem have no significant gender wise difference. An acceptable level of reliability was found in the test retest method conducted in a two week interval. Conclusion: The neem leaf powder solution can be used for bitter taste assessment, is reliable, and can be safely used in the clinical setting.

Genetic Variation in Taste Receptor Genes (SCNN1B, TRPV1) and Its Correlation with the Perception of Saltiness in Normotensive and Hypertensive Adults

Background. Different taste preferences correlated with genetic variations may lead to food consumption patterns that contribute to nutrient-related health outcomes such as hypertension. Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the salt taste receptor genes SCNN1B and TRPV1 affect salt taste perception among normotensive and hypertensive people. Materials and Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional case control study by design consisting of a normotensive and hypertensive group. Participants were 253 adults with age range of 20–82 residing in Mississippi, USA. For each of 128 normotensives and 125 hypertensives, the salt taste recognition threshold and salt taste receptor genotype were determined. Results. The hypertensive group had a higher salt taste recognition threshold than the normotensive group ( P < 0.001 ). The polymorphism of TRPV1, rs4790522, with the AA genotype was associated with a higher salt recognition threshold (lower salt taste sensitivity) in people with hypertension and obesity. Moreover, the polymorphism of TRPV1, rs8065080, and SCNN1B, rs239345, genes were associated with a risk of hypertension ( P = 0.016 and P = 0.024 ). Conclusion. Correlations between SNPs, salt taste sensitivity, and hypertension risk were observed. People with hypertension had a higher salt taste threshold than those with normotension.

Olfactory Function Assessment: Standardization of a New Quantitative Technique for the Indian Population

Aim: Olfactory function assessment is often neglected in clinical settings due to a lack of appropriate cost effective techniques. We therefore aimed to develop a cost effective, reliable and culturally appropriate tool for olfactory function assessment among the Indian population and to compare olfactory functions among 63 healthy controls and 32 idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients. Materials and Methods: Olfactory stimuli were applied to the nostrils of the participants using an olfactometer. Five different odoriferous substances common to Indian culture were used for the study in three different concentrations: ginger (1%, 2%, 3%), cardamom (0.4%, 2%, 3%), garlic (0.8%, 1.4%, 2%), coffee (1.6%, 2%, 4%), vanilla (2%, 3%, 4%). Olfactory recognition threshold, olfactory identification score and olfactory discrimination score were observed among the control population and Parkinson’s disease population. Results: The olfactory recognition threshold was significantly high among the Parkinson’s disease group compared to controls (Mann Whitney U test, p<0.001). Reliability was tested using the test-retest method among the control group and all olfactory variables in three different concentrations had either r value closer to 1 or 1, which shows an acceptable level of reliability. The correlation was found to be significant (p<0.001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve drawn for olfactory recognition thresholds at different concentrations for the five odouriferous substances and the area was determined to classify cases and controls (Determined areas: ginger = 0.928, cardamom = 0.955, garlic = 0.921, Coffee = 0.950, vanilla = 0.950). The area under the curve was found to be significant in classifying the cases and the control. Conclusion: The newly developed olfactory assessment tool was found to be reliable and effective in assessing olfactory parameters like recognition threshold, identification score and discrimination score among the Indian population.

Salt taste perception and blood pressure levels in population-based samples: the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS)

To examine the associations of salt perception with salt intake and blood pressure levels in general populations, we performed a cross-sectional study in two communities where salt intake level is different, Akita and Osaka in Japan. Taste perception (detection for certain taste and recognition for salt taste) was determined using a Na-impregnated test strip for 1024 Akita and 1199 Osaka adults aged 30–74 years. The proportions of detection for 0·1 % salt were 61, 62, 79, and 79 % in Akita men, Osaka men, Akita women and Osaka women, respectively. The corresponding proportions of not recognising of 1·6 % salt taste (>1·6 %) were 34, 30, 16 and 21 %. Detection threshold was higher in Akita than in Osaka for women aged 60–74 years, and recognition threshold was lower in Akita than in Osaka for women aged 30–59 and 60–74 years. The high detection (≥0·4 %) and recognition (>1·6 %) thresholds of salt taste were associated with higher salt intake scores for Akita men aged 30–59 years, whose detection and recognition thresholds tended be positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) after adjustment for potential confounders. Among Akita elderly men, detection threshold tended to be positively associated with SBP and DBP, while among Akita middle-aged women, recognition threshold was associated with SBP. In conclusion, the high thresholds of salt perception were inversely associated with salt intake for Akita middle-aged men and with blood pressure levels for Akita middle-aged and elderly men and middle-aged women.