Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

►The chimpanzees did not differ markedly in their taste sensitivity from humans, however it is important to distinguish between taste preference threshold as for chimpanzees, and taste detection threshold as for humans. Hence, it is possible that the chimpanzees detect even lower concentrations of the sugars used in the present study.

►A lower taste preference threshold for sucrose compared to glucose, lactose, maltose and fructose. This result is in line with studies on other primates.

►Preference for both stevioside and rebaudioside A, which is interesting as the stevia plant is endemic to South America and the chimpanzees to Africa.