Effect of Gelatin (a Model for Salivary PRP) on the Sensory Astringency of 5-O-caffeoylquinic Acid and Tannic Acid

The present work investigates differences (triangular tests) between the astringency of 5‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (5‐CQA) and that of 5‐CQA + gelatin. As an overall reference similar tests are reported using tannic acid (which has been shown to elicit a strong response). Finally, a time‐intensity study on aqueous solutions of tannic acid (TA), TA + gelatin and gelatin, reveals relevant temporal factors. Although, under the experimental conditions, the majority of comparisons revealed statistically significant differences, in the time‐intensity study no significant differences were found between TA + gelatin and gelatin, either for the intensity or the total duration of the response. Moreover, for the fading of the response there was no difference between TA + gelatin and TA. The main temporal contribution to the difference is in the onset of the response and can be related to the spectral differences observed in the earlier studies. It will be argued that these results may represent an important step in our understanding of the mechanisms of astringency.