Basic studies for the practical use of bitterness inhibitors: selective inhibition of bitterness by phospholipids.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the effects of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidic acid (PA) on human taste sensation to various substances.


METHODS
The effects were evaluated psychophysically using paid volunteers.


RESULTS
PA inhibited the bitterness of various substances dissolved in water without affecting sweetness, saltiness, and sourness, although its inhibitory activity was less than that of PA-LG. PI also showed inhibitory activity on bitterness, although its activity was less than PA. A soybean lecithin fraction containing high contents of PA and PI also demonstrated inhibitory activity on the bitterness of various substances. Both the incorporation of either PA or the lecithin fraction into granules containing quinine and the coating of the granules with PA or the fraction effectively inhibited the bitterness of quinine.


CONCLUSIONS
The lecithin fraction is permitted for use as an additive to drugs and food and can be produced on an industrial scale. It is expected that the lecithin fraction will be used safely as a bitterness inhibitor for practical applications.
Katsuragi
Y
Y
Kao Corporation, Food Products Research Laboratories, Kashima, Japan.
Mitsui
Y
Y
Umeda
T
T
Otsuji
K
K
Yamasawa
S
S
Kurihara
K
K
D006801:Humans; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000494:pharmacology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D013644:Tartrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
D010712:Phosphatidic Acids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010743:Phospholipids; D012996:Solutions; D013644:Tartrates; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose; D011803:Quinine; C029768:tartaric acid