ABSTRACT
Taste sensitivity and threshold of Phenylthiourea (PTC) was determined in 800 individuals of Kashmir who form a distinct ethnic group. Correlation, if any, with age, sex, blood group, pH of Saliva, or smoking habits was investigated. The taste sensitivity of P.T.C. increased with advancing age. The percentage of non-tasters was more in blood group 'B' & 'O'. However, no correlation was observed as far as sex, pH of saliva and smoking habits were concerned.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Blood Group Antigens , Child , Female , Humans , India , Male , Middle Aged , Phenotype , Phenylthiourea/diagnosis , Quinine/pharmacology , Saliva , Sex Factors , Smoking/physiopathology , Taste/physiologyABSTRACT
The ability to taste phenyl-thio-Carbamide (PTC) is one of the gene marker systems which provides one of the means to reconstruct relationships of ethnic groups of man. In 433 Maharashtrian subjects the ability to taste PTC was studied by Harris and Kalmus method. At the same time, blood groups of these subjects were determined by slide agglutination method. It was found that 63.74% of local population was taster and 36.26% non-taster. The percentage of non-tasters was higher in males, than in females. No significant relation was found between the ability to taste PTC and the blood groups. The results were compared with those observed by other workers and it was found that the percentage of non-tasters in local population in the present study was similar to that found in Indian elsewhere.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Blood Group Antigens , Female , Genetic Markers , Humans , India , Male , Phenotype , Phenylthiourea/diagnosis , Sex Factors , Taste/physiology , Taste ThresholdABSTRACT
Blood groups (ABO, Rh-including sub-types M-N, Duffy), secretor status and ability to taste Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) were investigated in 102 medical students of Delhi University, and the distribution was found similar to that observed in the north Indians. Both faster and secretors had highest percentage in AB, O and in rr, while the lowest values were obtained in B and R1r.