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Toxicity of the Taste Testing Compound Phenylthiocarbamide

Abstract

THE genetic polymorphism in human taste acuity for phenylthiocarbamide (phenylthiourea, PTC) and related compounds is widely used in practical demonstrations at most educational levels. The Nuffield O-level biology text1 advises that PTC papers be prepared from 0.13% PTC solution, but PTC solutions or crystals are often used to distinguish “tasters” and “non-tasters”.

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WHEATCROFT, P., THORNBURN, C. Toxicity of the Taste Testing Compound Phenylthiocarbamide. Nature New Biology 235, 93–94 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio235093a0

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