Search Results (78)

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is a major fruit-feeding pest that poses a severe and persistent threat to the horticulture industry in tropical and subtropical regions. Methyl eugenol (ME) is a powerful male-specific attractant phytochemical and pheromone precursor that has been widely exploited in lure-and-kill pest management programs. Upon ingestion, ME is metabolized (E)-coniferyl alcohol (E-CF) and 2-allyl-4,5-dimethoxyphenol (DMP), which are stored in the male rectal glands and released during courtship to attract females. Despite its ecological significance, the fundamental molecular mechanism underlying ME perception remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of ME-responsive and ME-non-responsive male B. dorsalis across four tissues (head, gut, midleg, and wing). A total of 15,727 genes were annotated, of which 970 were associated with odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and chemosensory proteins (CSPs), as well as detoxification families comprising cytochrome P450s (CYPs), carboxylesterases (CaEs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), and the stress-related heat shock proteins (HSPs) genes. Differential expression analysis identified 7222, 7763, and 6105 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the head, gut, and wings/midlegs, respectively, between ME-responsive and ME-non-responsive males. Notably, CYPs, UGTs, and HSPs involved in detoxification and stress response were significantly downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that CYPs were significantly enriched in metabolic detoxification pathways. These findings reveal a complex molecular interplay between olfaction and detoxification and suggest that ME induces coordinated genetic pathways supporting survival, reproduction, and environmental adaptability. This knowledge provides a foundation for the development of eco-friendly pest management strategies targeting these molecular mechanisms. Full article

The soybean pod borer, Leguminivora glycinivorella, is a monophagous pest that threatens soybean production. Its larvae feed concealed within pods, which limits the efficacy of conventional insecticides. Elucidating its chemosensory system is therefore essential for developing green, behavior-based management strategies. Reference-based transcriptomics across multiple tissues of L. glycinivorella identified a comprehensive repertoire of chemosensory genes, including 76 odorant receptors (ORs), 15 gustatory receptors (GRs), 18 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 52 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 18 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and 4 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses characterized these candidates within the context of known insect chemosensory families. Notably, canonical bitter GRs and specific IR lineages (e.g., IR100/IR85a) were not detected in our dataset, potentially reflecting adaptation to the specialized soybean-feeding habit of this pest. Expression profiling further revealed pronounced sexual and tissue dimorphism: male antennae showed significant enrichment of putative pheromone receptors (PRs) and LglySNMP1, whereas several OBPs and ORs exhibited female-biased expression, suggesting roles in host location and oviposition. Additionally, the high expression of GR43a homologs points to fructose sensing, while the lack of detectable CO₂ receptor components (except LglyGR2) suggests atypical carbon dioxide perception mechanisms. Collectively, this study provides a valuable expression atlas of chemosensory genes in L. glycinivorella and identifies sex-specific candidate genes for future functional validation and behavior-based pest management. Full article

This study reconstructs the geography of meaning of the German perception verb schmecken on the basis of 30 major dialect dictionaries, treating them as a distributed semantic corpus and coding attestations as binary variables reflecting the presence or absence of semantic options. Combining a construal-based framework with spatial modeling, the analysis shows that the polysemy of schmecken is structured by three mutually reinforcing forces: embodied sensory organization, construal-based perspectivization, and regionally patterned areal dynamics. The gustatory–olfactory axis forms the semantic core of the verb, from which tactile, visual, affective, and epistemic extensions emerge. These extensions align with systematic pathways constrained by agentive, experiential, emissive, and evaluative construals, demonstrating that semantic extension is channeled through specific construal modes—notably emissive and agentive—rather than determined by sensory modality alone. A detailed areal analysis reveals a pronounced north–south divide. While Low German dialects conform to the cross-linguistically more common tendency to avoid colexifying taste and smekk—itself the outcome of historical change rather than uninterrupted differentiation—Upper German varieties preserve a typologically rare gustatory–olfactory cluster and exhibit the richest range of cross-modal and abstract extensions. The resulting semantic graph formalizes how regional varieties activate different subsets of a lexeme’s semantic potential and demonstrates that semantic networks themselves display spatial organization. The study thus provides an empirically grounded reconstruction of a German geography of meaning and illustrates how dialect data illuminate the interplay between embodied cognition, construal-based lexical architecture, and areal dynamics. Full article

Anthropomorphism is a commonly used strategy in food marketing; however, its effect on perceived taste remains controversial. Moreover, a frequently overlooked issue is that anthropomorphic designs often alter the aesthetic appeal of food. Accordingly, the present research study focused on the joint effects of anthropomorphic strategies and food aesthetics on taste perception. Across four studies, these effects were examined at different stages of consumption. Study 1 employed an online study and demonstrated that at the food choice stage, anthropomorphism exerted a positive effect on perceived taste. Building on this design, Study 2 varied the type of food and introduced consumption cues in an online context, and the results showed that anthropomorphism did not exert a significant negative effect on taste perception. In contrast, aesthetic appeal consistently and positively predicted taste evaluations across conditions. Study 3 used a simulated eating task while controlling for aesthetic factors, and the results indicated that after consumption, anthropomorphism negatively affected taste perception. Finally, Study 4 investigated actual eating behavior and showed that in delayed evaluation contexts, anthropomorphic strategies reduced consumers’ taste evaluations when aesthetic appeal was held constant. More critically, anthropomorphism has a beneficial effect at the food choice stage but elicits negative taste perceptions following actual consumption. Furthermore, when aesthetic factors are controlled, anthropomorphism consistently lowers taste evaluations in delayed evaluation contexts. Full article

Background: Aging is characterized by a decrease in olfactory, attentional, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive abilities. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) and Carum carvi L. (caraway) essential oils (EOs) on aging. First, we assessed, in 402 participants, the age-related changes in olfactory functions (odor threshold, discrimination, and identification), gustatory perceptions (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste), cognitive functions (focusing on attention, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive functions), and their possible correlations with aging. To achieve this, olfactory function, gustatory perception, and cognitive abilities were evaluated in healthy participants across different age groups. Then, to evaluate the age-related decrease in trigeminal function (59 participants), we used rosemary and caraway EOs that contain carvone, limonene, and 1,8-cineole, all of which are considered typical trigeminal stimuli. Methods: Olfactory function was assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test, gustatory function by the Taste Strips test, and rosemary and caraway EOs by the ratings of odor pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity using a labeled hedonic Likert-type scale. Results: Olfactory function could be a potential early indicator of attentional, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive dysfunctions. Our data indicated that rosemary and caraway EOs were perceived without any significant decrease in odor pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity ratings in relation to aging. Conclusion: Our results suggest the potential bioactive effects of rosemary and caraway natural EOs as a new strategy to promote healthy aging. Full article

Sensory mapping in architecture lacks a guiding theoretical model, leaving practitioners without a clear way to relate spatial design to embodied experience. This study introduces a structured methodology that links phenomenological observation with affordance theory and sensory semiotics, framing sensory data within architectural contexts. Fieldwork in fourteen courtyard houses of Damascus had residents trace their movements on simplified floor plans, switching colors as sight, sound, touch, smell and taste became dominant. The analysis reveals that visitors pass through a narrow entry corridor, enter the courtyard, and converge at the central fountain, which emerges as a focal point for multiple senses. Residents consistently trace tactile interactions along the fountain’s stone rim and at raised benches in the liwan (open space). Gustatory (taste-related, food-linked) markers appear along the route from kitchen thresholds toward the fountain, suggesting how food preparation and communal gathering overlap. Using 28 sensory maps and a three-level analytical process, comparison, synthesis, and spatial interpretation, the study produced a unified sensory map of the Damascene courtyard house. This pattern highlights how sequential spatial arrangements shape sensory engagement and suggests conservation strategies that preserve these experiential pathways. Architects and conservators can reinforce welcome gestures at thresholds and design water features and planting schemes that invite lingering. The proposed methodology fills the theoretical gap and offers clear guidelines for crafting spaces that respond to human perception. Full article

Background: Gustatory dysfunction represents an underrecognized complication that may influence dietary behaviors and metabolic control. Previous investigations have suggested alterations in taste in patients with diabetes, yet the relationship between disease duration and specific taste modalities remains incompletely characterized. Aim: This study aimed to (i) compare orosensory detection thresholds for lipid and sweet tastes between patients with recent type 2 diabetes mellitus (rT2DM) (duration ≤ 5 years) and chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus (cT2DM) (duration > 5 years), and (ii) determine whether diabetes duration is associated with alterations in chemosensory function in a North African population. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative pilot study was conducted at the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology in Tunis, Tunisia, from April to June 2021. Sixty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving oral antidiabetic medication were recruited through systematic sampling and divided into two groups: rT2DM (n = 30, duration ≤ 5 years) and cT2DM (n = 37, duration > 5 years). Orosensory detection thresholds for lipid taste were assessed using eight ascending concentrations of linoleic acid ranging from 0.018 to 12 mmol/L. In contrast, sweet taste thresholds were evaluated using a sucrose concentration series ranging from 0.01 to 5 mmol/L. The three-alternative forced-choice method with an ascending-concentration presentation was employed for both taste modalities. Detection thresholds were defined as the lowest concentration at which participants correctly identified the taste quality. Results: Patients with cT2DM exhibited significantly elevated orosensory detection thresholds compared to those with rT2DM for both taste modalities tested. The median linoleic acid detection threshold was 6.000 mmol/L in cT2DM versus 0.058 mmol/L in rT2DM (p < 0.001), representing a 107-fold increase in detection threshold. For sweet taste, the median sucrose detection threshold was 1.0 mmol/L in cT2DM compared with 0.5 mmol/L in rT2DM (p < 0.001), indicating a 2-fold increase in the threshold. In the overall patient cohort, the duration of diabetes was positively correlated with both fat taste perception thresholds (r = 0.657, p < 0.001) and sweet taste perception thresholds (r = 0.466, p < 0.001). However, when analyses were performed by diabetes duration-based subgroups, these correlations were observed only for fat taste perception in cT2DM, with no statistically significant correlations found in rT2DM. In multivariate linear regression analyses adjusted for age, body mass index, and sex/gender, the duration of diabetes remained independently associated with fat and sweet taste perception. Conclusions: Extended T2DM duration is associated with substantial elevations in orosensory detection thresholds for both lipid and sweet tastes in a North African population. These findings suggest that disease chronicity may contribute to chemosensory impairment, potentially influencing dietary preferences and metabolic control in patients with diabetes. Full article

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a powerful tool for investigating gustatory perception, offering high temporal resolution and non-invasive brain activity recording. This review highlights the ability of EEG to reveal the complex interactions between sensory input, emotional responses, and cognitive evaluation in the process of taste perception. This review examines the physiological basis of taste, focusing on key brain regions and how environmental and psychological factors influence taste perception. It also discusses the methods and applications of EEG technology, including its principles, signal features, and measurement methods. Notably, EEG markers like event-related potentials (ERPs), frequency band power analysis, and brain network connectivity are essential for understanding the neural dynamics of taste processing. This review concludes with potential future research directions, including the integration of EEG with other neuroimaging techniques, cross-cultural studies on gustatory perception, and the use of EEG biomarkers in early neurological disease diagnosis. Full article

Plutella xylostella, a major pest of cruciferous vegetables, depends predominantly on chemoreception to locate host plants. Legs are crucial in insect chemical perception, particularly during close-range and contact chemoreception. However, the molecular basis underlying the chemosensory repertoire in P. xylostella legs remains elusive. To address this, we sequenced chemosensory-related genes in diamondback moth legs. Sequencing identified 32 odorant binding protein (OBP), 18 chemosensory protein (CSP), 26 odorant receptor (OR), 20 gustatory receptor (GR), 15 ionotropic receptor (IR), and 3 sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) genes. Comparative analysis with antennal transcriptome data revealed three CSPs, seven ORs, and two GRs newly identified in the legs. Transcriptome analysis showed higher fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads values for CSPs than for other chemosensory-related gene families. Furthermore, qRT-PCR confirmed the highest expression of PxylCSP9 in the legs, suggesting its role in perceiving external compounds. Fluorescent binding assays revealed high binding affinity of PxylCSP9 for several host plant semiochemicals. Molecular docking predicted a hydrophobic binding pocket in PxylCSP9 with Met11, Leu13, and Leu43 frequently participating in ligand interactions. Our findings indicate that leg-enriched PxylCSP9 is pivotal for host plant recognition during close-range chemoreception, suggesting its potential as a molecular target for precision management through behavior-based strategies. Full article

The red flower aphid (Uroleucon gobonis) is a significant agricultural pest causing damage via direct feeding and virus transmission. Chemical sensory proteins (CSPs) are critical for insecticide resistance, mediating the detection of semiochemicals or the sequestration of neuroactive insecticides. This study provides the first comprehensive identification and functional characterization of chemosensory gene families in Uroleucon gobonis to elucidate their roles in chemoperception and resistance. We conducted de novo transcriptome sequencing and assembly to identify chemosensory genes. Their phylogenetic relationships and structural motifs were analyzed. Developmental expression patterns were assessed via RNA-seq, and tissue-specific expression was validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We identified 40 chemosensory genes: 12 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 8 CSPs, 14 odorant receptors (ORs), and 6 gustatory receptors (GRs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed species-specific adaptations, including the absence of GR clades 2/4 and minimal representation in CSP Subgroup III. Structural motifs were highly conserved in ORs/OBPs but divergent in CSPs/GRs. RNA-seq identified 1896 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between instars, including stage-specific regulation of UgobCSP4, UgobCSP6, UgobOBP3, and UgobOBP10. qRT-PCR confirmed extreme spatial expression, such as leg-specific UgobCSP6 and antennae-specific UgobOBP10. These findings elucidate key molecular adaptations in chemosensory gene families governing perception and potential insecticide resistance in Uroleucon gobonis. The identified stage- and tissue-specific genes provide targets for developing species-specific pest control strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sensory-specific satiety (SSS) refers to the decrease in pleasantness of a food after repeated consumption, while other foods remain appealing. Despite its significance in hedonic food perception, the underlying mechanisms of SSS remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the neurobiological basis of SSS and its relationship with body weight and hedonic food perception. Methods: Twenty-three healthy individuals with varying body weights underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a novel gustatory stimulation procedure. SSS was induced by repeated exposure to glucose, during which the hedonic perception of a neutral stimulus increased. Results: We found that SSS was associated with a network of brain regions related to reward and taste processing, including the lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Increased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex was related to both the expectation and receipt of a neutral stimulus with increased hedonic value during SSS. Finally, higher body weight was related to decreased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex, whereas an increased tendency for food craving was associated with increased activation of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex during SSS. Conclusions: Our results extend previous findings of an orbitofrontal-cortex-mediated shift in hedonic perception of food during SSS and show that the medial prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in reward value modulation during SSS. Furthermore, our results indicate that increased BMI and trait food craving are associated with altered reward processing during SSS. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying changes in hedonic food perception during SSS. Full article

Notonectidae belongs to the infraorder Nepomorpha within the order Hemiptera. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphological types and arrangement of leg sensilla in Anisops, Enithares and Notonecta. A variety of sensilla are distributed on the legs. These sensilla are responsible for receiving signals from the external environment. Mechanoreceptors exhibit the highest diversity. Using a scanning electron microscope, ten types of sensilla were identified on the legs of seventeen species from Notonectidae. Basic types of mechanoreceptors, including sensilla trichodea (ST1, ST2), sensilla chaetica (SCh1, SCh2), sensilla basiconica (SB2) and sensilla campaniformia (SCa), were distributed across all the studied species. In Anisops, sensilla arch-shaped (SAr) and sensilla spoon-shaped (SSp) were reported for the first time. Additionally, six subtypes of ST were distinguished in Anisops, among which ST3, ST4, ST5 and ST6 are unique. In Enithares and Notonecta, sensilla styloconica (SS) were observed; these sensilla are hypothesized to function as both mechanoreceptors and gustatory receptors. Beyond mechanoreceptors, we also identified thermo-hygroreceptors—sensilla ampullacea (SA) and sensilla coeloconica (SCo)—as well as a potential olfactory sensilla type, namely, sensilla placodea multilobated (SPM). These findings suggest that Notonectidae leg sensilla play an important role in the perception of aquatic environments and prey localization. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health challenge, with altered taste perception potentially influencing food choices and contributing to weight gain. Objective: To determine detection thresholds for linoleic acid (fat taste) and sucrose (sweet taste) in children aged 6–12 years, and to explore associations with obesity, dietary intake, and food preferences. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 Tunisian children (mean age: 8.05 ± 1.44 years; 54% girls; 45 obese, 55 non-obese) were recruited from an educational support center in Nabeul. Taste sensitivity was evaluated using the 3-alternative forced choice (3-AFC) method with ascending concentrations of linoleic acid (0.018–12.0 mM) for fat taste and sucrose (0.00125–0.32 mol/L) for sweet taste. Participants were categorized as tasters or non-tasters based on detection thresholds. Anthropometric measurements, 24 h dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires, and food preference assessments were also conducted. Results: Low taste sensitivity was common (93% for sweet, 49% for fat). Girls were more often fat tasters than boys (68.6% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.003). Children with obesity had higher fat taste thresholds (median 3.00 mM, range 0.37–12.0) than non-obese peers (median 1.50 mM, range 0.018–6.0; p = 0.012), indicating reduced fat taste sensitivity. Linear regression showed a significant positive association between fat taste threshold and BMI (p = 0.001), meaning higher detection thresholds corresponded to higher BMI. Sweet taste thresholds did not differ significantly between children with and without obesity (p = 0.731). Sweet non-tasters consumed more sucrose (85.9 ± 64.9 g/d vs. 70.3 ± 62.3 g/d; p = 0.033) and reported more frequent table sugar use (p = 0.047). Fat non-tasters consumed more magnesium (425 ± 414 mg/d vs. 287 ± 60.8 mg/d; p = 0.026) and fiber (22.9 ± 7.51 g/d vs. 20.3 ± 5.32 g/d; p = 0.048) and reported higher intake frequencies of cheese (p = 0.039), sour cream (p = 0.004), and fast food (p = 0.012). Food preferences reflected similar patterns, with non-tasters generally rating high-fat or high-sugar foods more favorably. While most children demonstrated high detection thresholds, girls showed significantly higher fat taste sensitivity compared to boys (p = 0.03). Children with obesity exhibited significantly higher fat taste detection thresholds compared to non-obese children (p = 0.012), with thresholds ranging from 0.37 to 12.0 mM versus 0.018 to 6.0 mM, respectively. No significant difference was observed for sweet taste perception between weight groups (p = 0.731). Conclusions: Nearly half of the children exhibited reduced fat taste sensitivity, which was moderately associated with obesity and positively linked to BMI. Full article

International standards for wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) require characterisation through both analytical and sensory criteria, although sensory evaluation remains inherently subjective, especially regarding organoleptic properties. This study examined paired Blanc de noir and red wines made from identical grape varieties to determine whether varietal traits remain perceptible regardless of the vinification method while also assessing the role of visual stimuli in influencing olfactory and gustatory perception. Controlled tastings were conducted using both transparent and opaque glassware, with experienced panellists recording sensory descriptors. Physicochemical parameters were measured using a Lyza 5000 analyser to confirm compliance with quality standards, while statistical analyses of sensory data were conducted using the XLSTAT–Basic, student-type user software. Results showed that the absence of visual cues did not mislead tasters in recognising core attributes; however, the winemaking method significantly affected descriptors linked to maceration, including flavour intensity, astringency, and red/dark fruit notes. Panellists distinguished between white and red wines at statistically significant levels, even without visual input, suggesting that vinification-related chemical composition primarily guided their perception. Direct correlations were observed between red winemaking descriptors and parameters such as pH, lactic acid, glycerol, and volatile acidity, while indirect correlations were found with malic acid and titratable acidity. The results highlight how winemaking methods, chemical composition, and sensory perception interact in defining varietal characteristics. Full article

Apis cerana cerana is a key social insect, and its ability to recognize chemical signals is crucial for maintaining colony homeostasis and coordinating collective behaviors, such as foraging, nursing, and defense. The legs of insects play a significant role in gustatory perception and proximity olfactory perception. In this study, the leg sensilla of A. c. cerana were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two types of sensilla were observed, including sensilla trichodea (Str I, Str II, Str III, Str IV, Str V, and Str VI) and sensilla chaetica (Sch I, Sch II, and Sch III). The two unique structures of the tibial spur (Tsp I, Tsp II) and antennal brush (Abr) are carefully observed. The electrophysiological responses of workers at different ages to diverse chemical compounds were measured via electrolegogram (ELG) recordings on their legs. The results showed that 1-day-old A. c. cerana was more sensitive to nonanal; 10-day-old and 25-day-old A. c. cerana were more sensitive to ocimene. The results of behavioral responses showed that nonanal and ocimene can significantly attract 10-day-old workers of A. c. cerana. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of the mechanisms by which the legs of A. c. cerana facilitate colony-level communication through chemical signals. It also provides an important theoretical basis for understanding their social organization and information transmission. Full article