Taste is an important sense in survival and growth of animals. The growth and maintenance of taste buds, the receptor organs of taste sense, are under the regulation of various neurotrophic factors. But the distribution aspect of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in distinct taste cell types are not clearly known. The present research was designed to characterize mRNA expression pattern of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in distinct type of taste cells. In male 45-60 day-old Sprague-Dawley rats, epithelial tissues with and without circumvallate and folliate papillaes were dissected and homogenized, and mRNA expressions for neurotrophic factors and their receptors were determined by RT-PCR. The mRNA expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3), receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), exclusion of nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-4/5 (NT4/5), receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), receptor tyrosine kinase C (TrkC), and p75NGFR were observed in some population of taste cell. In support of this result and to characterize which types of taste cells express NT3, BDNF, or TrkB, we examined mRNA expressions of NT3, BDNF, or TrkB in the PLCβ2 (a marker of Type II cell)- and/or SNAP25 (a marker of Type III cell)-positive taste cells by a single taste cell RT-PCR and found that the ratio of positively stained cell numbers were 17.4, 6.5, 84.1, 70.3, and 1.4 % for PLCβ2, SNAP25, NT3, BDNF, and TrkB, respectively. In addition, all of PLCβ2- and SNAP25-positive taste cells expressed NT3 mRNA, except for one taste bud cell. The ratios of NT3 mRNA expressions were 100% and 91.7% in the SNAP25- and PLCβ2-positive taste cells, respectively. However, two TrkB-positive taste cells co-expressed neither PLCβ2 nor SNAP 25. The results suggest that the most of type II or type III cells express BDNF and NT3 mRNA, but the expression is shown to be less in type I taste cells.

This research was conducted to estimate the effect of packaging methods on the color and taste-related precursors in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) beef during aging. Following packaging with vacuum (VACP), low oxygen-modified atmosphere (LOMAP; 0% O2/20% CO2/80% N2) or vacuum skin+LOMAP (VSP+LOMAP), the loins and top rounds were aged at 2℃ for 14 days and lipid oxidation (TBARS content), surface color, glucose and lactate contents were measured. TBARS and glucose contents were not different by packaging methods in both loins and top rounds. The a* (redness), b* (yellowness) and C* (chroma) values were higher (p<0.05) in VACP-aged beef as compared to the other beef. Lactate content was significantly higher (p<0.05) in both LOMAP- and VSP+LOMAP-aged beef than in VACP-aged beef at day 14 of aging. These findings suggested that VACP was the most effective in maintaining color stability but LOMAP was more effective in maintenance of some taste-related precursor compared to VACP.

The taste properties of enzyme hydrolysates of rice protein residue were investigated, and then their taste enhancingeffects were evaluated by examining the changes in total taste pattern after their addition to a yeast extract. Whileenzyme hydrolysates of rice protein residue showed different taste properties according to the enzyme that was usedfor hydrolysis, the Flavourzyme treated sample expressed the strongest umami and bitter taste among the enzymetreated samples. On the other hand, the Protamax treated sample showed considerable umami with a slight bittertaste so that it is expected to be suitable as a taste enhancing ingredient. Furthermore, by LC-MS/MS analysis, theeffective fraction isolated from the Protamax treated sample was found to contain peptide fractions such as Ile-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Thr-Tyr-Pro-Leu-Pro-Arg (Mw: 1175); therefore, it is expected that the peptide fractions contained in Prot-amax hydrolysates of rice protein residue could be applied for preparing a natural taste enhancing ingredient.

This study was designed to measure taste sensitivity and the five basic senses by an educational classification instrument. The instrument was a rice kit that could use samples in a dry powder form or oil extract after long-term storage To test for taste, sucrose, salt, citric acid, and quinine sulfate were made at different concentrations and taste sensitivity was measured on a scale from level 1 to level 5. To obtain baseline data, an inspection tool for the five senses was used and randomly applied on 101 schoolchildren in the third and fourth grade in the city of Cheonan in Korea. The inspection tool was composed of 17 questions; 5 questions regarding visual characteristics and three questions each for characteristics regarding taste, hearing, smell, and touch. The average age of the schoolchildren was 9.5 years old and there were 49 third grade students (9 years of age), and 52 fourth grade students (ten years of age). There were slightly more male students than female students, 56 (55.4%) compared to 45 (44.6%), respectively. The average height of female students was higher than that of males, but the average BMI (body mass index) of the male students was slightly higher than that of female students (18.28 compared to 18.09, respectively). Female students were slightly more sensitive to salty tastes than male students (2.8 compared to 2.5, respectively). In the score distribution for each sense, touch sense was the highest at 7.59, sight sense was 7.49, hearing sense was 5.43, smell sense was 5.24, and taste sense was lowest at 3.69. Therefore, schoolchildren first tend to recognize and deem important the touch and sight of food before its taste.

본 연구의 목적은 한국어의 맛을 표현하는 형용사들을 수집하고 분석하여 정성적 관능형가에 사용할 주요 형용사 척도를 발굴하는 일이었다. 이를 위해 본 논문에서는 음식의 관능평가에 사용되는 맛, 질감, 온도감 및 냄새 등을 포함하는 우리말 형용사 92개를 선별하여 유사성을 평정하고, 이 형용사 사이의 상관관계를 이용하여 요인분석, 군집분석 등을 실시하였다. 요인분석 결과 한국어에서 음식들의 맛을 표현하는 형용사를 설명하는 요인은 10개 이상으로 다양하였으며, 군집분석 결과 맛 표현 형용사는 보편적인 맛 표현 형용사, 부정적인 맛 표현 형용사, 음식의 질감, 온도감, 냄새 등을 표현하는 형용사 군 등으로 군집화 할 수 있음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 맛의 선호도에 해당하는 긍정적이거나 부정적인 맛을 표현하는 형용사들과 군집분석 결과로 부터 얻어진 군집 대표 형용사들과의 관계역시 상관계수를 이용하여 분석하였다. 이러한 분석 결과는 향후 축약된 맛에 대한 관능평가 형용사 척도 발굴에 있어서는 음식 종류를 한정하여야 함을 의미할 수 있다.

Taste receptors of the anterior tongue are innervated by the chorda tympani (CT) branch of the facial (VIIth) nerve. The CT nerve transmits information on taste to the ipsilateral nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), which is the first taste central nucleus in the medulla. Taste information is known to be transferred ipsilaterally along the taste pathway in the central nervous system. Some patients with unilateral CT damage often retain their ability to sense taste. This phenomenon is not explained by the unilateral taste pathway. We examined whether neurons in the NST receive information on taste from the contralateral side of the tongue by measuring c-Fos-like Immunoreactivity (cFLI) following taste stimulation of the contralateral side of the tongue in the anesthetized rats. We used four basic taste stimuli, 1.0 M sucrose, 0.3 M NaCl, 0.01 M citric acid, 0.03 M QHCl, and distilled water. Stimulation of one side of the tongue with taste stimuli induced cFLI in the NST bilaterally. The mean number of cFLI ranged from 23.28 ± 2.46 by contralateral QHCl to 30.28 ± 2.26 by ipsilateral NaCl stimulation. The difference between the number of cFLI in the ipsilaterl and contralateral NST was not significant. The result of the current study suggests that neurons in the NST receive information on taste not only from the ipsilateral but also the contralateral side of the tongue.

음식물 섭취는 영양상태의 유지와 생존을 위해 필요하며, 미각은 가장 기본적인 감각 중의 하나이다. 맛을 느끼는 미각세포는 다섯 가지 기본 맛(단맛, 쓴맛, 짠맛, 신맛, 감칠맛)에 대해 반응한다. 그러나 뇌에서 맛감각의 처리과정과 미각피질의 조직화된 원리에 대한 이해는 여전히 부족한 실정이다. 최근 기능적 자기공명영상(fMRI), 뇌자도(MEG), 광영상(optical imaging)을 이용하여 미각 자극에 대한 뇌의 반응들을 영상화하는 연구들이 진행되고 있다. 뇌 활성 변화를 관찰할 수 있는 이들 뇌 영상 기법들은 서로 직접적인 비교 데이터를 제공하지는 못하지만, 이러한 기법들은 상호 보완적이다. 따라서 이러한 기법들을 이용한 데이터들의 상호비교는 미각 자극에 대해 반응하는 뇌의 시간-공간적인 활성 패턴 변화를 이해하는데 많은 도움을 준다. 본 연구는 감각 및 감성적 측면에서의 미각 자극에 따른 뇌의 정보처리에 있어서 미각영역의 활성화에 관한 영상매핑에 대해 최근까지 밝혀진 결과들과 연구동향을 소개하고자 한다. 미각 자극에 따른 뇌의 영상 변화를 관찰하여 구조해부학적 지도를 만드는 것은 매우 복잡한 미각의 신경회로망을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.

This study investigated the effect of salt preference on dietary habits and the body composition of university students. The subjects were divided into two groups: 85 students who dislike salt (salt-dislike (SD) group) and 104 students who like salt (salt-like (SL) group). We found that the SL group showed a higher preference for sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors compared to the SD group. There was no significant difference in the frequency of eating breakfast according to the salt taste preference. The meal speed of the SL group was significantly higher than the SD group (p〈0.01) and the body mass index of the SL group (22.59kg/m2) was higher than SD group (21.04kg/m2). The fat mass of the SL group (15.30 kg) was higher than the SD group (12.80 kg) (p〈0.01). Salt preference and snack intake frequency had a significant and positive correlation with fat mass. The frequency of eating breakfast, and meal speed also showed a significant and positive correlation with subcutaneous fat. In conclusion, the SL group eats relatively more, speedily and frequently intakes snacks and carbonated drinks, likely resulting in higher body and subcutaneous fat. These results suggest salt preference is related to food choice, influences unreasonable eating habits, and possibly changes body composition. Taste preferences should therefore be considered for dietary consulting and nutritional education.

본 시험은 한국 고추 육종에 이용되는 교배친의 고추맛에 관여하는 유전자의 유전가를 구명하기 위해 수행하였다. 고추맛과 원예적 특성이 상이한 ‘#1803’(P1)과 ‘#1532’(P2) 두 교배친을 교배하여 이들의 F1, F2 세대를 본 시험의 공시 재료로 이용하였다. Partitioning method에 따라 고추맛은 A-a와 B-b 두 유효 유전자에 의하여 지배되는데 F1 세대는 우수 교배친 P1보다 더 우수한 초우성 현상과 F2 세대는 초월 분리가 일부 나타났다. 고추맛의 유효 유전자 효과는 A-a 유전자에 의해 0.36, B-b 유전자에 의해 0.64가 증가하였다. 한국 고추맛은 유효 유전자간에서 0.94의 간섭효과와 최대 2.86의 제 2효과가 관여하여 복합적인 유전양식을 나타내었다.

The nasal cavity encounters various irritants during inha¬lation such as dust and pathogens. To detect and remove these irritants, it has been postulated that the nasal mucosa epithelium has a specialized sensing system. The oral cavity, on the other hand, is known to have bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) that can detect harmful substances to prevent ingestion. Recently, solitary chemosensory cells expressing T2R subtypes have been found in the respiratory epithelium of rodents. In addition, T2Rs have been identified in the human airway epithelia. However, it is not clear which T2Rs are expressed in the human nasal mucosa epithelium and whether they mediate the removal of foreign materials through increased cilia movement. In our current study, we show that human T2R receptors indeed function also in the nasal mucosa epithelium. Our RT-PCR data indicate that the T2R subtypes (T2R3, T2R4, T2R5, T2R10, T2R13, T2R14, T2R39, T2R43, T2R44, T2R 45, T2R46, T2R47, T2R48, T2R49, and T2R50) are expressed in human nasal mucosa. Furthermore, we have found that T2R receptor activators such as bitter chemicals augments the ciliary beating frequency. Our results thus demonstrate that T2Rs are likely to function in the cleanup of inhaled dust and pathogens by increasing ciliary movement. This would suggest that T2Rs are feasible molecular targets for the development of novel treatment strategies for nasal infection and inflammation.

한국 건고추 6종 슈퍼마니따, 독야청청, 신세계, 왕대박, 한반도, 청양 고추의 capsaicinoid, 유리당, 유기산 함량을 분석하고, 추출 현탁액의 고추 맛 관능평가와 비교하였다. 한국 건고추의 capsaicinoid 함량은 37.8~164.1mg·100g-1, 유리당 함량은 9.3~18.2mg·100g-1, 유기산 함량은 8.1~14.7%이었다. 고추 분말추출 현탁액의 신미 관능평가는 고추의 capsaicinoid 함량과 완전히 일치하였지만 고추 기호도에 대한 관능평가와는 유효하지 않았다. Capsaicinoid, 유리당, 유기산 함량간의 다중회귀 결과 상관계수 0.927과 회귀계수 0.906으로 높았다. 그렇지만 capsaicinoid와 유리당 2개의 변수를 이용한 관계식을 회귀분석한 결과 R2=0.884의 높은 선형성을 가지는 Y = 0.69X + 0.11를 얻어 고추맛의 관능평가를 위한 매운맛과 총 유리당을 통한 계량적 해석이 가능하였다.

쌀단백질을 이용한 고부가가치 천연 조미소재를 개발하기 위하여 쌀단백질을 프로테아제로 효소분해한 배지에서 Saccharomyces cerevisiae를 배양하여 제조한 효모 추출물(Yx)에, 효소분해 후 남은 쌀단백질 잔사를 Bacillus licheniformis 혹은 Bacillus subtilis로 발효하여 얻은 발효물(Rfl, Rfs)을 각각 첨가하였다. 쌀단백질 잔사의 발효물이 첨가된 효모추출물(YxRfl, YxRfs)의 전체적 선호도는 첨가전의 효모추출물(Yx)에 비하여 높았으며, 특히 쌀단백질 발효물의 보충에 의해서 감칠맛과 같은 풍미가 증가함을 미각센서 분석 및 관능검사에 의해서 확인할 수 있었다. 쌀단백질 잔사발효물에 의한 감칠맛의 상승은 감칠맛을 내는 아미노산 이 외에도 쌀단백질의 발효에 따라 유리된 다양한 펩타이드 분획의 영향이 있었을 것으로 예상된다. 이와 같이 감칠맛 아미노산 및 펩타이드가 함유된 쌀단백질 발효물이 보충된 효모추출물은 감칠맛과 풍미의 상승작용으로 전체적인 기호도가 높아짐에 따라 고부가가치 천연조미소재의 제조에 응용될 수 있을 것으로 기대되었다.

The origin of Korean traditional food's spicy taste dates back to the first telling of the Dangun myth-a story of a tiger and bear who tried to reincarnate themselves in human form by eating garlic and wormwood. For a long time, Koreans have eaten spicy vegetables such as green onion, garlic, ginger, mustard, leeks, corni, cinnamon bark, and Chinese peppers (Zanthoxylum schinfolium) and Zanthoxylum bungeanum. In prehistoric times, spicy vegetables were probably used to eliminate the smell of meat. In the agricultural age, they were used to supplement meals with fresh taste. They were also used as a substitute for salt (salt was very precious and expensive) as well as side dishes for the poor. Spicy vegetables have also been used as a substitute for main dish like medicinal gruel and used to increase the spiciness of soup, and they are usually used as a side dish and with condiments in namul (cooked vegetable dishes), sangchae (salad), ssam (wrapped in greens and garnished with red-pepper paste or other condiments) and Kimchi. In addition, chili pepper was introduced to the Korean Peninsula in the middle of the Joseon Dynasty (mid-15th, 16th century). The soil and climate of the Korean Peninsula are suitable to growing chili pepper, and chili pepper has excellent adaptability and productivity. Accordingly, it is processed to red pepper powder and has become a major part of traditional Korean food along with Chinese pepper. Since the Joseon Dynasty, many kinds of Kimchi made with red pepper powder have been developed, and most Koreans enjoy them these days. The main characteristics of Korean food are spiciness and honest-to-goodness taste.

Measurement of estrogen concentration in bio-samples are very important for differential diagnosis of various disease or evaluation of health status. However, it is difficult to collect immediate data of estrogen concentration because they are measured by radioimmunoassay or chromatography which need time- and cost-consuming sample pre-treatment. This study was performed for development of new estrogen biosensor employing taste principles, and for evaluation of cross reactivity between various steroid hormones. Gene sequence of ligand binding domain of α-human estrogen receptor (amino acid 302-553; hER-LBD) was cloned from human breast cancer cell line. The proteins of hER-LBD were produced by T7-E.coli expression system, and isolated by chromatography. hER-LBD were coated on the gold plated quartz crystal (AT-cut 9MHz), and resonance frequencies were measured by universal frequency counter. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and aldosterone were used for cross reactivity of the hER-LBD. We also monitored influences of pH change in resonance frequency. The resonance frequencies of hER-LBD coated quartz crystal were decreased during increase of estrogen concentration from 15 μg/mL to 50 μg/mL. However, similar steroid hormones, progesterone and aldosterone, did not elicit the change in resonance frequency. Testosterone evoke weak change in resonance frequency. The new estrogen biosensor was more sensitive in pH 7.2 than in pH 7.6. These results suggest that hER-LBD coated quartz crystal biosensor is a probable estrogen biosensor.

[Introduction] Larix kaempferi (Larch), rich biomass in Hokkaido, is available as an inexpensive medium for mushroom production. We have previously developed a variety of Hypsizygus marmoreus with high ability to utilize larch sawdust without watering, Hm 219 (Marbure 219) with high fruit-body yield and high score of sensory evaluation, was selected. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplements to larch sawdust-based medium on taste components of fruit-bodies of Hm 219. [Materials and methods] The strain of H. marmoreus used in this study was Hm 219, the stock culture of Hokkaido Research Organization Forest Products Research Institute. Each 850 ml plastic bottle containing 540 g of larch sawdust-based substrate, was used for cultivation. Moisture content of each medium was adjusted to 61% based on the fresh weight of the mixture of solid materials. The substrate substituted with 0-40% of supplements (wheat bran, soybean curd residue and soybean shell) for rice bran as a nutrient, were used for cultivation. Cultivation was conducted by the standard procedure reported earlier (Harada et al., 2004). The harvested fruit-bodies were freeze-dried to determine the chemical composition. Soluble sugars, free amino acids and 5’-nucleotides were extracted with hot water from freeze-dried powder. These soluble components were determined by using HPLC. [Results] As a result, fruit-body yields on the substrate substituted with 20% of soybean shell for rice bran as a nutrient, were about 20% higher than those on the substrate with rice bran only. According to the replacement rate of soybean curd residue increasing , morphological quality of fruit-body tended to decline. As major free amino acids in fruit-body, monosodium glutamate-like (MSG-like) components which gave the umami taste, including aspartic acid and glutamic acid, and sweet components including alanine, threonine and serine were detected. As flavor 5’-nucleotides, GMP and IMP were found. In fruit-body of H. marmoreus, with respect to major soluble sugars, mannitol and trehalose were mainly contained. Each taste component content indicated differences among the different supplements to larch sawdust-based medium. The equivalent umami concentration (EUC ) is the concentration of MSG equivalent to the umami intensity of that given by the mixture of MSG and the 5’-nucleotide (Lee, Yu-Ling et al., 2009). The EUC value in a cultivation condition was more 15% higher than that of control condition. [References] Harada, A. et al. (2004) Effects of strain and cultivation medium on the chemical composition of the taste components in fruit-body of Hypsizygus marmoreus. Food Chemistry, 84, 265-270. Lee, Yu-Ling et al. (2009) Composition and non-volatile components of Hypsizygus marmoreus, LWT- Food Science and Technology, 42, 594-598.

The purpose of this study was to examine the process to manufacture costume design of main female characters of TV historical drama〈Lee San〉and suggest the costume, which is developed with contemporary taste. As study methods, the literature study using books and theses concerning costume, fine art, culture and history were used for theoretical background and the empirical study method manufacturing actual costume on the basis of literature and relic were used for dress manufacture. The study results were as follows. The costume was decided by researching historical investigation material on the basis of synopsis, grasping director's basic intention, setting design direction, preparing design map of each character, selecting style, detail, fabric and color, manufacturing sample and performing camera test. The design concept of〈Lee San〉was Modern & Chic & Clean, short & fitted chogori, chima with wide & abundant cocoon silhouette, clean & bright colors and 100% silk fabric. For the design discrimination of royal semi-formal costume, color was used to symbolize character and pattern was used to symbolize social status. In addition, detail change was adopted depending on the body shape of actor and there was almost no design discrimination in silhouette and fabric. Petticoat of the west, modernization of transitional pattern and change of detail were adopted as design elements to add contemporary taste.

연안산 저활용 소형복어인 복섬(Takifugu niphobles)을 원료로 하여 수프용 정미강화소재로 이용할 수 있는 풍미계 조미엑스분을 추출하였고, 추출방법에 따른 이들 복섬 엑스분의 품질 및 정미발현성분에 대하여 살펴보았다. 복섬의 조단백질 함량은 17.4%으로 Glu, Asp, Lys, Leu, Pro, Ala, Val 및 Lys 등 주요 아미노산을 고루 함유하고 있었다. 열수추출법 및 2단 효소분해법으로 엑스분을 추출하고 관능적 특성을 비교한 결과, 98℃에서 3시간 추출한 열수추출물에서는 감칠맛과 맛의 강도가 약한 반면, 2단 효소분해물은 감칠맛과 맛의 조화가 월등히 우수하였고, 수율은 열수추출에 비해 약 1.7배 증가하였다. 열수추출 및 2단 효소분해물의 유리아미노산 총량은 각각 433.1 및 4,502.2 mg/100 g으로 함량 차이가 컸으며, Pro, Leu, Lys, Hypro, Tau, Arg, Phe, Ala, Glu 및 Val 등이 복섬 2단 효소분해물의 주요 유리아미노산이었다. 반면, IMP 함량은 각각 336.2 및 372.2 mg/100 g으로 다량 함유되어 있었으나 양자 간에 큰 차이가 없었고, 그외 total creatinine 등 기타 염기성분도 추출방법에 따른 함량 차이는 거의 없었다. 주요 정미발현성분 중의 하나인 무기이온은 Na, K, Cl 및 PO4 등이 주성분으로, 열수추출물에 비해 2단 효소분해물의 함량이 훨씬 많았다.

추출방법과 β-cyclodextrin, soluble starch 및 calcium chloride 혼합용액(MIX) 처리가 양파추출물의 색도에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 추출방법에 관계없이 처리구가 대조구보다 L(명도) 값은 크게 나타났으며 a(적색도)와 b(황색도)는 작은 값을 나타내었다. 갈변도는 100oC 열수추출의 경우 대조구와 처리구의 O.D.값은 각각 0.296 과 0.093으로서 처리구가 대조구의 약 31%의 O.D.값을 보였다. 열수추출과 초음파추출 모두 대조구가 처리구보다 높은 pyruvic acid 함량을 나타내었다. 관능검사의 갈변정도와 매운맛 강도에서는 대조구가 처리구에 비하여 높은 값을 보였다. 양파추출물의 총균수와 대장균군수는 저장기간이 길어짐에 따라서 계속적으로 증가를 보였고 저장기간 내내 처리구가 대조구보다 매우 적은 수치를 나타내었다.

Taste is associated with hedonic evaluation as well as recognition of quality and intensity. Taste information is sent to the cortical gustatory area in a chemotopical manner to be processed for discrimination of taste quality. It is also conveyed to the reward system and feeding center via the prefrontal cortices. The amygdala, which receives taste inputs, also influences reward and feeding. In terms of neuroactive substances, palatability is closely related to benzodiazepine derivatives and β-endorphin, both of which facilitate consumption of food and fluid. The reward system contains the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum and finally sends information to the lateral hypothalamic area, the feeding center. The dopaminergic system originating from the ventral tegmental area mediates the motivation to consume palatable food. The actual ingestive behavior is promoted by the orexigenic neuropeptides from the hypothalamus. Even palatable food can become aversive and avoided as a consequence of postingestional unpleasant experience such as malaise. The brain mechanism of these aspects of taste is elucidated.