MULTICHANNEL TASTE SENSOR USING ELECTRIC-POTENTIAL CHANGES IN LIPID-MEMBRANES

A taste sensor with a multichannel electrode was developed by using li pid membranes as a transducer of taste substances. The sensor can dete ct the taste in a similar manner to the human gustatory sensation by r esponse patterns of electric potential to taste substances. The sensit ivity, reproducibility and durability were superior to those of humans . The same taste as that elicited by some commercial aqueous drink was reproduced by making aqueous solution mixed from four kinds of basic taste substances, the concentrations of which were determined so that the electric-potential pattern of this mixed solution could agree well with the pattern by the drink. Different brands of beer were easily d istinguished by the electric-potential patterns.