Study of Sweet-Sensitive Taste Sensor with Lipid/Polymer Membranes

A sweet-sensitive taste sensor was investigated with potetiometric measurement.The transducer was a lipid/polymer membrane composed of tetradodecylammonium bromide,di-n-octylphenylphosphonate and polyvinyl chloride,which surface was modified with polyphenol and the solvent 30% EtOH,100 mmol/L KC1 and 10 mmol/L KOH.Balancing hydrophobic/ hydrophilic property and charge density on the membrane surface was susceptible to sensitivity for sweetener.Interaction between the membrane and sweet taste substances such as sucrose was detected as membrane potential change.

Inhibitory Effect of 5-Adenylic Acid on Bitter Taste of Antipsychotic Drugs

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of adenylic acid (adenosine 5-monophosphate;AMP), a known nutritional enhancer, on inhibiting the bitterness of antipsychotic medicines administered to patients with mental illnesses, including children. First, we chose four antipsychotic medicines, amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT), chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ), haloperidol (HPD) and risperidone (RIS) and evaluated the inhibition of their bitterness by AMP through taste sensor measurements. AMP showed a significant bitterness inhibition effect on all drugs. Second, MarvinSketch analysis revealed the potential formation of electrostatic interactions between ionic forms (IV) of AMP and ionic (cationic) forms of each drug, which resulted in bitterness suppression. Third, chemical shift perturbations in 1H-NMR studies suggested an interaction between the phosphate group of AMP and amino group of AMT, CPZ, HPD and RIS. Last, conventional elution experiments of up to 1 min simulating oral cavity conditions were performed for 1 whole AMT tablet, half AMT tablet, crushed half AMT tablet, and crushed AMT tablet containing AMP powder/solution (1, 3 mM potency). The taste sensor output values of the crushed AMT tablet containing AMP powder/solution (1, 3 mM potency) were significantly lower than those of the crushed tablet.

The Effect of Food Thickeners on the Bitterness and Dissolution of Amlodipine Besilate Powder When Co-Administered with Thickeners to Patients with Dysphagia

Purpose: The present research was performed to evaluate the effect of food thickeners on the bitterness and dissolution of bitter drugs when co-administered to patients with dysphagia. Methods: Amlodipine besilate (AMPB) powder was used as a model drug. Starch- and xanthan gum-based food thickeners were examined, with swallowing-aid jelly as a reference. The line-spread test (LST), texture prolife analysis (TPA) were done firstly. In related to AMPB powder mixed with food thickeners solution, a conventional dissolution test simulating the oral cavity was performed, the amlodipine (AMP) concentration and taste sensor output for dissolved medium versus time profiles were developed. The dissolution test at pH 1.2 and 4.5, representing typical gastric conditions for younger or elderly people, was performed in two kinds of thickener solution and swallowing-aid jelly those were mixed with AMPB powder. Results: LST demonstrated that xanthan gum-based food thickeners fulfilled the requirements for patients with dysphagia but that starch-based food thickeners did not. In TPA, hardness and adhesiveness decreased proportionally as the concentration increased for both kinds of food thickener. Conventional dissolution test simulating oral cavity demonstrated the following bitterness ranking: xanthan gum-based food thickener Conclusion: Although xanthan gum-based food thickeners were successful in masking the bitterness of AMP, they may reduce its bioavailability in humans. The 7.1 and 4.7 (w/v) % starch-based thickener show bitterness inhibition under simulated oral cavity conditions and complete dissolution of AMP under simulated gastric conditions.

The Effect of Food Thickeners on the Bitterness and Dissolution of Amlodipine Besilate Loaded Oral Disintegration Tablets: Assessment of Potential Suitability for Patients with Dysphagia

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of starch- and xanthan gum-based food thickeners on the bitterness and dissolution of amlodipine besilate (AMPB) loaded orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) for potential use with patients with dysphagia. A conventional dissolution test simulating the oral cavity was performed and the taste sensor output of the dissolved sample was evaluated over a 60-seconds period. When four types of AMPB loaded ODTs were tested alone, at 60 seconds, branded product (A) was the least bitter, followed by generic product (B)/generic product (C) which were equal, and finally generic product (D) which was the most bitter. Inhibition of bitterness of AMPB loaded ODTs mixed thickeners, 1.0 (w/v) % xanthan gum-based food thickener solution was significantly strong. The 7.1 (w/v) % and 4.7 (w/v) % starch-based food thickeners solution also effective in bitterness inhibition compared to the 2.4 (w/v) % starch-based food thickener solution. The dissolution test under pH 1.2 in related to 7.1 (w/v) % and 4.7 (w/v) % starch-based thickener contained each of AMPB loaded ODTs were associated with an almost complete amlodipine (AMP) dissolution (almost 90% at 10 minutes), whereas the 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 (w/v) % xanthan gum-based food thickener solution containing AMPB loaded ODTs did not show complete AMP dissolution and there were large variations in the initial dissolution stage. This suggests that a mixture of xanthan gum-based thickener and AMPB loaded ODT poses a risk of reduction of bioavailability. In conclusion, a mixture of 4.7 (w/v) % or 7.1 (w/v) % starch-based thickener with ODTs provides complete release of AMP and superior bitterness inhibition, so is the best choice for administration to patients with dysphagia.

Evaluation of the Palatability of Dry Syrups and the Bitterness Intensities of Dry Syrups Mixed with Various Beverages

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the palatability of dry syrups for pediatric use by human gustatory sensation testing and the artificial taste sensor. The bitterness intensities of dry syrups mixed with various beverages were also evaluated using the taste sensor. Twenty dry-syrup formulations of antibacterial and anti-allergic drugs containing bitter active ingredients, frequently used in pediatric medicine in Japan, were selected for testing. The main factors influencing palatability were determined by factor analysis of data from human gustatory sensation testing using the semantic differential method. It was shown that the bitterness intensity of dry syrups in water could be predicted by the artificial taste sensor. The influence of different beverages (orange juice, milk or cocoa) mixed with the dry syrups was evaluated using the artificial taste sensor. Taste and texture were found to be the principal factors influencing the palatability of dry syrups. While the bitterness intensities of some dry syrups were increased by mixing with orange juice, the bitterness intensities of most dry syrups were decreased by mixing with milk or cocoa. This suggests that one or more constituents of milk or cocoa may reduce the bitterness intensities of dry syrups.