CHANGE IN ELECTRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBRANES IN RESPONSE TO TASTE STIMULI WITH INCREASING AMOUNT OF LIPIDS IN MEMBRANE MATRIX OF PVC ANDPLASTICIZER

Changes in membrane electric potential in response to taste substances were studied for membranes containing differing amounts of negatively charged lipids in the membrane matrix of polyvinyl chloride and plast icizer. Responses to quinine showing bitterness decreased systematical ly with increasing the quantity of charged lipids contained in the mem brane, whereas the response did not depend on differences in the hydro carbon chains of lipids. The mechanism is discussed qualitatively in t erms of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the membranes.