"Unveiling the Enigma: Scientists Decipher the Sixth Basic Flavor"
Scientists at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have discovered evidence of a sixth basic taste. The research, published in Nature Communications, reveals that the tongue responds to ammonium chloride through the same protein receptor that signals sour taste. The protein, called OTOP1, detects acid and also responds strongly to ammonium chloride. The study found that mice with a functional OTOP1 protein found the taste of ammonium chloride unappealing and did not drink the solution, while mice lacking the protein did not mind the taste. The researchers speculate that the ability to taste ammonium chloride may have evolved to help organisms avoid consuming harmful substances. Further research is needed to understand species differences in sensitivity to ammonium and the role of OTOP1 channels in other parts of the body.