Avaliação da sensibilidade à feniltiocarbamida (PTC) em tabagistas e etilistas

Resumo (EN)

Objective – To verify the influence of the use of tobacco and alcohol in the gustatory sensitivity in adult users from the test sensitivity to feniltiocarbamida (PTC), known organic compound with evident bitter taste. Methods – The first step of the research involved the application of a questionnaire. The second step, relating to the test sensitivity to PTC, was performed by offering solutions with different concentrations of the test substance to the participants, divided in control group, smokers and alcoholics. These solutions were numbered from 1 (more concentrated) to 15 (less concentrated), and offered from the more diluted until the participant to realize the bitter taste. Results – At least one person from each group presented a sensitivity to PTC still in less concentrated solution (11). However, only the control group remained high sensitivity for all solutions. In the smoker group, although also start the detection of bitter taste in the solution 11, only 3% of the total of individuals felt the bitter taste. In addition, the threshold of tolerance for the control group was the solution 6, for the drinker and smoker group was the solution 3, indicating a higher tolerance gustatory ourselves. Conclusion – This study showed that smokers and alcoholics showed a variation in the gustatory sensitivity, supporting the solutions with higher concentrations of PTC. The change in the gustatory sensitivity of individuals can cause changes in food habits which, together with other factors, are determinants in the occurrence of diseases.