LIPID MICRORESISTOR AS MIMICKING OLFACTORY SENSOR - THE RULE OF THE RESPONSE OF LIPIDS TO C-1-C-4 ALCOHOLS

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and six other PC-similar lipids are coated on interdigital electrodes, IEs, as sensitive membranes. Eight alcohols (C-1-C-4) are tested in a flow system at room temperature. It is found that all responses are log(response)-log(concentration) linear relati ons. These results agree with Steven's law in psychophysics. Moreover, the thresholds of the sensors are coincident with human olfactory thr esholds. The authors have analysed the data of the lipid hypothesis su ggested by Kurihara et al. We have found that this hypothesis is also in agreement with Steven's law. Lipid microresistors are real mimickin g olfactory sensors. A definition of an olfactory sensor is suggested.