Bitter taste genetics and food preference in italian population

Objective: To investigate the possible role of the polymorphic bitter taste gene, TAS2R38, known to be involved in the perception of the bitter synthetic chemical phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), in influencing food preference and body mass index(BMI). Methods: up to now more than 1500 university students (17-25 years old) at Catania, Cosenza, Rome, Palermo, Pisa, Parma, Chieti, Trento University have been enrolled in the study. DNA was extracted from saliva, and genotyped by TaqMan assay for the most frequent polymorphism (PAV/AVI) of TAS2R38 gene. A possible association between genotype and food preference was assessed by administering a detailed questionnaire for food preferences and life styl…