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The Effect of Short, Daily Oral Exposure on Non-esterified Fatty Acid Sensitivity

Chemosensory Perception

Abstract

Detection threshold testing of non-esterified fatty acids (“fat taste”) is time intensive as multiple visits (≥7) are needed to see significant improvements. Streamlining this process is of interest from the perspectives of both researchers and participants. We examined whether or not brief exposure to oleic acid over 10 days would improve detection threshold performance. Additionally, we tested whether or not sample preparation method with either homogenization or sonication resulted in significant differences in performance. The effects of gender, BMI, and self-reported hunger, all proposed to impact threshold sensitivity, were also assessed. Fifty-four participants underwent baseline detection threshold testing of oleic acid following an ascending, three-alternative forced choice testing paradigm. Participants were then randomized to once daily exposure of either oleic acid or sucrose for 10 days. Detection threshold testing was conducted again on day 11 or 12. There was no significant improvement between baseline and follow-up. No effects of hunger were noted. Sample preparation method did not influence performance. No differences in sensitivity either at baseline or follow-up were observed between gender or BMI class (lean vs. overweight). No significant correlations between visits were found, suggesting that two testing sessions are not sufficient to establish stability in sensitivity.

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Robin M Tucker declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Laura Laguna declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Ruth Quinn declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Richard D Mattes declares that he has no conflict of interest.

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Correspondence to Richard D. Mattes.

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Tucker, R.M., Laguna, L., Quinn, R. et al. The Effect of Short, Daily Oral Exposure on Non-esterified Fatty Acid Sensitivity. Chem. Percept. 6, 78–85 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12078-013-9147-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12078-013-9147-y

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