Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Identification of key taste active compounds and potential umami peptides in soft-boiled chicken based on taste
Shui Jiang1, Xiangyuan Li1, Lexin Zhao2
1Department of Food Science & Technology, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Abstract:
Soft-boiled chicken, a traditional Chinese delicacy renowned for its distinct umami and overall taste, was investigated to identify key taste-active compounds and potential umami peptides. Using taste recombination combined with omission/addition tests, six compounds (sodium ion, chloride ion, inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP), lactic acid, succinic acid and glutamic acid) were identified as key taste-active compounds. Through the mass spectrometry and virtual screening 14 potential umami peptides were identified, with 13 being reported for the first time. Molecular docking analysis revealed that amino acid residues including 277_ARG, 151_ARG, 220_TYR, 276_SER and 107_SER on T1R1/T1R3 receptor are critical for umami perception. Sensory evaluation and electronic tongue results confirmed that the recombination taste solution effectively mimics the taste characteristic of Tuer soft-boiled chicken. This study advances the understanding of the taste mechanisms underlying soft-boiled chicken and provides valuable technical support for optimizing the industrial production and flavor development.
Related Concept Videos
The Physiology of Taste
The Tongue and Taste Buds
Taste Buds and Receptors
Conditioned Taste Aversion
A notable characteristic of conditioned taste aversion is that it often requires only a single...
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...

