As flu season rapidly approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, the virus once again threatens thousands of people—especially vulnerable groups such as young children and the elderly. Prevention and early diagnosis are critical to curbing its annual toll.
A Test That Tastes Like Thyme
Imagine replacing the discomfort of nasal swabs with something as simple as chewing gum. That is exactly what a new molecular sensor promises, according to a study published in ACS Central Science. The sensor is designed to release a distinct thyme-like taste when it comes into contact with the influenza virus.
From the Lab to Chewing Gum and Lozenges
Professor Lorenz Meinel, chair of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy at the University of Würzburg, Germany, and his team developed the innovative sensor. Their goal: to embed it into chewing gum or lozenges, making at-home diagnosis easy and helping prevent presymptomatic transmission of the flu.
The Limitations of Current Tests
Staying home is key to preventing the spread of contagious diseases like influenza. But flu is transmissible even before symptoms appear.
- PCR tests are accurate but costly and slow to deliver results.
- Self-tests, familiar from the COVID-19 pandemic, are cheap and convenient but unable to detect infection before symptoms.
This is where the new taste-based approach could be transformative.
The Tongue as a Detector
The Würzburg team turned to the human tongue—an easily accessible and universal detector. They created a molecular sensor that triggers the release of thymol, the compound found in thyme and oregano oil, known for its strong and recognizable taste.
The sensor works by targeting the influenza virus’s neuraminidase protein—the “N” in flu strains like H1N1—which the virus uses to infect host cells. When influenza is present, the sensor releases thymol molecules, leaving a clear thyme-like taste on the tongue.
Promising Lab Results
In laboratory tests on saliva samples from flu-positive patients, the sensor released thymol within 30 minutes of contact with the virus. Additional experiments on human and mouse cells showed no disruption of normal cellular function.
Clinical Trials on the Horizon
The research team hopes to begin clinical trials within the next two years, testing the sensor both on people already showing flu symptoms and on those infected but not yet symptomatic.
If successful, the sensor could provide a powerful tool for early, accessible, and non-invasive flu detection.
A Fast, Accessible Diagnostic Tool
According to Professor Meinel, embedding the sensor in everyday items like gum or lozenges could revolutionize flu prevention:
“This sensor could become an easily accessible, frontline diagnostic tool—particularly valuable in high-risk environments.”
