Abstract
Unlike the trace minerals iron, copper and zinc, the semiconductor silicon has not had its organoleptic properties assessed. Nanostructured silicon provides the nutrient orthosilicic acid through hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and is a candidate for oral silicon supplements. Mesoporous silicon, a nanostructured material, is being assessed for both oral drug and nutrient delivery. Here we use taste panels to determine the taste threshold and taste descriptors of both solid and mesoporous silicon in water and chewing gum base.Comparisons are made with a metal salt (copper sulphate) and porous silica. We believe such data will provide useful benchmarks for likely consumer acceptability of silicon supplemented foodstuffs and beverages.
Highlights
Ever since the first silicon deprivation studies on animals [1,2], evidence has slowly accumulated that dietary silicon is beneficial to bone and connective tissue health [3]; and yet, the exact biological role(s) remain(s) an enigma
The mouthfeel of particles is very important in food products as it affects mastication and overall taste sensation of the product
The semiconducting silicon exposed to air or an aqueous environment will be covered in an ultrathin native oxide, so one might conclude that it is silica rather than silicon that is being assessed by the taste buds of the tongue
Summary
Ever since the first silicon deprivation studies on animals [1,2], evidence has slowly accumulated that dietary silicon is beneficial to bone and connective tissue health [3]; and yet, the exact biological role(s) remain(s) an enigma. The essentiality of silicon for mammals, and humans in particular, remains questionable [4], and there is no current recommended daily allowance. Mesoporous silicon is a very high surface area form of silicon that is biodegradable within the human body [8,9] and can be loaded with drugs or nutrients [5,10,11]. Its biodegradability is a consequence of nanostructuring, the mesoporous forms having high concentrations of pores ranging from 2 to 50 nm diameter.
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