Salivary Expression of Taste Response to Chemical Stimulation

Abstract

The salivary response to application of various concentrations of citric acid to the tongue was examined in 17 individuals. Responses were reproducible and did not appear to alter with the passage of time. The relation between response and stimulant concentration was formally described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The technique could be extended to the study of various stimulants and used to explore the mechanism of taste perception in man.

Key-words:

• Saliva
• salivary flow
• taste