Genetic variation in taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide in six populations of Manipur, India

Year 2015, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 15 - 23, 30.11.2015

Ahsana Shah Mohammad Afzal

Abstract

Ability to taste Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) a bitter compound is of genetic, epidemiologic,
and evolutionary interest because the ability to taste PTC is correlated with the ability to taste
other bitter substances, many of which are toxic. Our study was taken to determine PTC taste
sensitivity among Manipuri Muslim males and females and discussed it with reference to
variability and disease. Unrelated individuals of both sexes belonging to six populations were
randomly selected and screened using serial dilution method of Harris and Kalmus (1949).
The study was conducted with six populations viz. Sheikh, Syed, Pathan and Mughal, Meitei
(Hindu) and Naga. Naga population shows the highest taster frequency in both males and
females (males 90.59% and females 92.35%). While the least taster frequency were observed in
Pathan population (males65.38% and females 62.86%). Females shows higher PTC tasting
ability (χ2=62.028, df=5, P=0.00). The findings are discussed with reference to variability and
disease. The frequency of PTC tasters is greater than non-tasters and the females have lower
non-taster phenotypes as compared to males. Such type of study will provide background
information about genetic structure of population studied and serves as useful interaction of
genetics, food preferences and dietary patterns.

Keywords

Phenylthiocarbamide, Manipur, gene frequency, population, India

References

• Adler E, Hoon MA, Mueller KL, Chandrashekar J, Ryba NJ, Zuker CS. (2000) A novel family of mammalian taste receptors. Cell 100:693–702.