title: Nerve and behavioral responses of mice to various umami substances.
abstract: Food contains various taste substances. Among them, umami substances play an important role with regard to the perception of the taste of food, but, few studies have examined the taste characteristics of representative umami substances other than monosodium L-glutamate (MSG). By conducting mouse behavioral studies (the 48-h 2-bottle preference test and the conditioned taste aversion test) and assessing gustatory nerve responses, we investigated the taste characteristics of unique umami substances, including sodium succinate, L-theanine, betaine, and the enantiomer of MSG, D-MSG. Furthermore, we examined the synergy of umami with inosine 5'-monophoshate (IMP). In the case of the mice, sodium succinate had an umami taste and showed strong synergy with IMP. L-theanine showed synergy with IMP but did not have an umami taste without IMP. In contrast, betaine did not have an umami taste or synergy with IMP. D-MSG might have weak synergy with IMP.
authors: Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Masataka
authors: M
authors: Narukawa
authors: Kanako
authors: K
authors: Morita
authors: Masahide
authors: M
authors: Uemura
authors: Ryo
authors: R
authors: Kitada
authors: Seong-Hee
authors: SH
authors: Oh
authors: Yukako
authors: Y
authors: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001622:Betaine / Q000737:chemistry*; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005971:Glutamates / Q000737:chemistry; D007291:Inosine Monophosphate / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000737:chemistry*; D055697:Taste Perception
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D007291:Inosine Monophosphate; D001622:Betaine; C026166:theanine; D012970:Sodium Glutamate