Perception des saveurs : Aspects méthodologiques de l'acquisition et de l'interprétation des données

Gustatory perception is a sensory characteristic, the role of which seems obvious in determining feeding behaviours. However, in human populations, this characteristic must be studied within a broader context of food perception resulting both from biological parameters and a sociocultural environment that can, in certain cases, change the initial psychological and physiological perception. During quantification studies of food consumption, carried out with the collaboration of the Institute of Human Sciences, on forest populations of Southern Cameroon, and on savanna populations in Northern Cameroon, we began a comparative evaluation of abilities to differentiate tastes. We used purified natural products (various sugars, organic acids, salt and bitter products) to determine at what point extremely diluted solutions would be perceived. Variations of taste threshold for sodium chloride are discussed in relation to adaptive value for individuals and populations. We also found significantdifferences between forest populations and populations living in more open environments, that are related to the perception of sweet products. The interpretation of these gustatory variations refers to the global composition of a “biochemical environment” where species diversity and the resulting selective pressure led to an increase of the sugar content of rainforest fruits. Although psychological and affective parameters tend to modulate feeding behaviour of any population, the biological parameters need a careful assessment. Valorization of foodstuffs, which is paramount for developing commercial networks, depends on these perceptive aspects. ; La perception des saveurs est une caractéristique sensorielle dont l'importance semble évidente dans le déterminisme des comportements alimentaires. Cependant, chez les populations humaines, cette caractéristique doit être étudiée dans le cadre élargi d'une perception des aliments résultant à la fois des bases biologiques et d'un environnement socioculturel qui peut, dans certains cas, ...