Quantitative but not qualitative flavor recognition impairments in COVID-19 patients

Background Smell and taste dysfunctions (STDs) are symptoms associated with COVID-19 syndrome, even if their incidence is still uncertain and variable. Aims In this study, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function have been investigated using both a self-reporting questionnaire on smell and flavor perception, and a simplified flavor test. Methods A total of 111 subjects (19 hospitalized [HOS] and 37 home-isolated [HI] COVID-19 patients, and 55 healthy controls [CTRL]) were enrolled in the study. They received a self-evaluation questionnaire and a self-administered flavor test kit. The flavor test used consists in the self-administration of four solutions with a pure olfactory stimulus (coffee), a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulus (peppermint), and a complex chemical mixture (banana). Results After SARS-CoV-2 infection, HOS and HI patients reported similar prevalence of STDs, with a significant reduction of both smell and flavor self-estimated perception. The aromas of the flavor test were recognized by HI and HOS COVID-19 patients similarly to CTRL; however, the intensity of the perceived aromas was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. Conclusion Data reported here suggests that a chemosensory impairment is present after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the modified “flavor test” could be a novel self-administering objective screening test to assess STDs in COVID-19 patients. Clinical trial registration no. NCT04840966; April 12, 2021, retrospectively registered

Influences of Age, Sex and Smoking Habit on Flavor Recognition in Healthy Population

(1) Background: Flavor is one of the main factors influencing food preferences and dietary choices, and a reduction in flavor recognition has been associated with several diseases. A novel quantitative test to assess flavor has been recently developed and validated. The aim of the present work was to define the standard of flavor recognition in the general healthy population. (2) Methods: Three hundred and forty-eight healthy volunteers (18–80 years) performed the flavor test (FT). The test consisted of the oral administration of aqueous aromatic solutions, identifying 21 different compounds. Flavor score (FS) was calculated as the sum of the properly recognized flavors (range 0–21). (3) Results: Normal ranges for FT were produced. Flavor recognition was found to decrease with age. Females obtained slightly higher scores than males, mostly at older ages. Cigarette smoking seemed not to influence flavor recognition. (4) Conclusion: The normal values found for the flavor test in the healthy population will allow its usage as a diagnostic tool in several diseases.

Female and Male Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Discriminate Diets According to Energetic Quantity

The food choice of animals is influenced by several factors including the quantity and nutrients available. It is not known, however, whether faced with alternatives that present the same amount of food, with similar flavor and obtained with the same response cost, rats would discriminate between diets with different energetic quantities. The aim was to verify whether female and male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) discriminate between three types of food that differ in their energetic content (whether or not they prefer one) and whether the flavor could affect the choice between two diets with equal energetic quantities. Twelve Wistar rats (six of each sex) underwent tests of choice between pairs of diets of different energetic values. After the tests, the animals had at their disposal, in the home cage, two diets with the same energetic content, which differed in flavor (one contained sucrose) - Flavor test. The consumption of each diet was measured for five consecutive days. All the subjects demonstrated a preference for the more energetic alternative, regardless of the combination of diets presented. In the Flavor test the animals did not show significant preference for any diet, i.e., the consumption of both the S and N diets were statistically equal for all subjects. It was concluded that the animals, regardless of sex, discriminated between the diets with different energetic values and that the flavor did not seem to be a determinant variable in the food choice.

Uji Stabilitas Fisik Dan Hedonik Sirup Herbal Kunyit Asam Stability And Hedonic Test Of Tumeric Tamarind Syrup

Physical Stability, Hedonic, Syrup, Tumeric Tamarind. Tumeric have a benefit as antiinflammation so can be improved in the syrup formula. This research aimed to describe the result physical stability and hedonic test of the tumeric tamarind sirup with differences temperature storing for phormula I was saving in 5°C and phormula II was saving in 35°C for 24 hours as many 14 cyclic. It was experimental research. This research was done by testing physical stability of the tumeric tamarind sirup include to organoleptic, pH, homogenity and pour time test and also hedonic test. The result research: organoleptic test were no change for two weeks with brownish yellow colour, smell test is turmeric tamarind, flavor test is sweet and tamarind and texture is solid. pH test is stable at 4, homogenity test is stable homogen and pour time test is phormula I was storing in 5C is 8,14 second and 7,84 second, phormula II was storing in 35°C is 5,04 second and 4,14 second for 24 hour as many 14 cyclic. Hedonic test was showed result for first week at temperature 5°C is 40% of respondents are very like, 40% of respondents are like and 20% of respondents are dislike, at temperature 35°C is 40% of respondents are very like and 60% of respondents are like. While for second week at temperature 5°C is 60% of respondents are very like and 40% of respondents are like, at temperature 35°C is 80% of respondents are very like and 20% of respondents are like.

KARAKTERISTIK MUTU DAN CITARASA COKELAT KAYA POLIFENOL

Research of Flavor and Quality Characteristics of Rich Polyphenol Chocolate has been done.This research aims to understand the flavor and quality characteristics of polyphenol–rich chocolate,therefore can be used for functional food. Research method referred to Ramlah (2014), whereas cocoabeans roasting temperature was set on 40oC and 120oC and re-formulated without soy milk addition.Testing parameters are moisture content, protein as SNI 2323-2008 procedure, fat content as SNI 3749-2009 procedure, flavor test and polyphenol content using spectrophotometer analyzed in IndonesiaCoffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember. Results of this study concluded that chocolate madefrom fermented cocoa beans roasted at 40oC has the quality characteristics of the water content of2.03%; protein content of 11.15%; fat content of 48.67% and polyphenol content of 5.36%. Chocolateprepared from fermented cocoa beans roasted at 120oC has the quality characteristics of water contentof 1.43%; protein content of 8.84%; fat content of 53.39% and polyphenol content of 4.83%. In termsof flavor, overall panelists’ acceptance to chocolate F1 is to have good flavor and aroma and tend to beacidic, whereas chocolate F2 has very good flavor and aroma.Kata Kunci characteristics of quality, flavor, roasting, chocolate, Polyphenol.