Australia's Science Forum

Does anyone use PTC taste test papers.....or have any ideas or suggestions for an alternative?

Thanks

We used them once. I had to make 'em.

I got mine from Omega, it is $6for (pack of 100). you need control paper as well

We use them in genetics. Either you can taste it or not. Sometimes we send a strip home so the students can test their parents or siblings. It tastes revolting and I buy it from Southern Biol I think. P.S. Can be very funny watching this prac.

Better still... I know that I am a non-taster so I will taste a bit and get nothing and then pass onto other people. The look on their faces when they taste the PTC after seeing me not having a reaction... priceless

is it still ok to do this?
I was told by a teacher to throw ours out as we weren't allowed to use them any more..

In Victoria it's OK. I only give them a small piece of paper tho'

According to CSIS (NSW) test strips can only be used with years 11 and 12. Make strips with 0.1% solution.

I was asked by a new teacher to get some PTC paper for the genetics topic in yr 10. I didn't check RiskAssess before I bought some from a supplier who made no mention of the fact that they contain poison and are not recommended to be used in schools. Is anyone else still using these strips??

Sodium benzoate papers are apparently safer.
My teachers are doing a taste test with brussel sprouts!