A direct comparison of the taste of electrical and chemical stimuli.
Three multidimensional scaling studies were conducted to compare the taste qualities evoked from electrical and chemical stimulation, including ferrous sulfate as a typical "metallic" taste stimulus. Bipolar, anodal, and cathodal stimulation were delivered by 1.5- or 3-V batteries applied to the tongue. Solutions of chemical stimuli including prototypical tastes and binary mixtures were evaporated on small metal disks to provide tactile impressions similar to those of the battery stimuli and avoid any potential response biases induced by the subjects' knowledge of the form of the stimulus. Multidimensional unfolding was performed to place stimuli and verbal descriptors in common perceptual spaces. Bipolar, anodal, and cathodal stimuli were tested in separate experiments but generated very similar perceptual spaces and were differentiated from the chemical stimuli. Electrical stimuli were associated with descriptors, such as metallic, copper penny, and iron nail, regardless of the polarity of stimulation. Taste qualities evoked by electric stimuli may not be fully described by commonly used taste stimuli or their binary mixtures and appear most adequately described by a unique metallic taste.
Stevens
David A
DA
Department of Food Science, Stocking Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
Baker
Diane
D
Cutroni
Elizabeth
E
Frey
Alexander
A
Pugh
David
D
Lawless
Harry T
HT
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000502:physiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology
D000534:Alum Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D019343:Citric Acid; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C059726:aluminum ammonium sulfate; D011803:Quinine