Androstenone Levels and the Taste of Pork

Several months ago, Science Codex published an article that highlighted a study relating the taste of pork to genes associated with scent.  The study was a collaboration between Hiroaki Matsunami of Duke University and scientists in Norway.  The Norwegians were interested in working with Matsunami because in a previous study he discovered the OR7D4 gene which codes for an odor receptor for androstenone.  Androstenone is a compound commonly found in the urine of swine (pigs).  Currently, the pork that is sold in Europe comes from female or castrated male swine.



The Norwegians wanted to see if consumers would be able to detect androstenone from noncastrated swine.  The scientists were interested in studying this because the European Union will be banning piglet castration by the year 2018 in all European countries.  It was found that noncastrated pigs contained a 6.4 ppm level of androstenone while castrated pigs contained only a 0.1 to 0.2 ppm level of androstenone.  The study used 23 participants, 13 who were consumers and 10 who were professionals.  Each participant was divided into a group based on whether they could or could not detect androstenone.  According to an article in Time, each person detects androstenone in different ways.  It can be perceived as having a scent ranging from urine to the sweetness of vanilla.  The participants who detected androstenone had two functioning copies of the OR7D4 gene.  Those who could not detect androstenone contained only one functioning copy of OR7D4 or none at all.  The important finding was that 70% of the participants had two functioning copies of the OR7D4 gene and thus were sensitive to androstenone.

This study shows that the upcoming ban in 2018 may negatively impact many people living in Norway.  More studies should be completed to see if the proportion of people impacted in Norway correlates with the rest of the population in Europe.  If 70% of all Europeans have two of the OR7D4 genes, meat producers may have to alter some of their practices.  Pork from females or imported pork from castrated swine may become prevalent in European grocery stores.  The study as a whole illustrates the importance of genetics and how a single gene can alter one’s perception of the world.  Further studies should be completed to see if other genes affect taste or scent.