Excretion and perception of a characteristic odor in urine after asparagus ingestion: a psychophysical and genetic study.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Pelchat ML
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3002398 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Excretion and perception of a characteristic odor in urine after asparagus ingestion: a psychophysical and genetic study.
Pelchat Marcia Levin ML Bykowski Cathy C Duke Fujiko F FF Reed Danielle R DR
Chemical senses 20100927 1
The urine of people who have recently eaten asparagus has a sulfurous odor, which is distinct and similar to cooked cabbage. Using a 2-alternative forced-choice procedure, we examined individual differences in both the production of the odorants and the perception of this asparagus odor in urine. We conclude that individual differences exist in both odorant production and odor perception. The biological basis for the inability to produce the metabolite in detectable quantities is unknown, but th ...[more]
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