Many active pharmaceutical ingredients taste bitter and are thus aversive to children, many adults and animals, who may fail to comply with medication and complete their treatment. Encapsulation of bitter components is not an effective solution for children or anyone who has difficulties swallowing solid dose forms. The use of sugars or acids as taste-masking ingredients in paediatric formulations can lead to tooth erosion and decay.
Scientists at the University of Vienna have developed a novel in vitro cell-based assay that accurately assesses bitter taste without the need for tests in animal models. The assay allows screening of new pharmaceutical drug candidates for bitter taste during the early stages of development, and can also be used to screen and identify substances that efficiently modulate the bitter taste of APIs so that existing formulations can be improved.