THE USE OF INTRAORAL LOAD CELLS IN THE STUDY OF TEXTURE PERCEPTION

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Abstract
A new method to study texture perception is described. Miniaturized load cells were placed in the oral cavity to record the time course of the bite force. The bites were made, during psychophysical tests on hardness comparison, into products (silicone elastomers) exhibiting simple rheological behaviour. The silicone samples were placed on either side of the load cell. The control measurements proved that the recordings under these conditions were stable and reproducible. An analysis of the time course of the curves revealed differences in perception strategy between the subjects. The use of load cells together with standardized products allows a better understanding of the relationship between the rheological measurements of a product and the motor activity of the chewing apparatus when the texture of a solid food product is perceived.