Oleogustus:The sixth taste from fats?

摘要

In a study published in Chemical Senses, researchers from Purdue University posit that fat should be considered the sixth taste and can be called oleogustus. "Most of the fat we eat is in the form of triglycerides, which are molecules comprised of three fatty acids," said Richard D. Mattes, distin- guished professor of nutrition science. "Triglycerides often impart appealing textures to foods like creaminess. However, triglycerides are not a taste stimulus. Fatty acids that are cleaved off the triglyceride in the food or during chewing in the mouth stimulate the sensation of fat."