Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), also known as phenylthiourea (PTU), is an organosulfur thiourea containing a phenyl ring. It has the unusual property that it either tastes very bitter or is virtually tasteless, depending on the genetic makeup of the taster.

Grazers have large livers that are able to break down toxic compounds. PTC stands for phenylthiocarbamide. Also known as phenylthiourea, the chemical structure of PTC resembles toxic alkaloids found in some poisonous plants.

VARIATION in taste sensitivity to the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is one of the best known Mendelian traits in human populations, ranking alongside eye color and blood types in the canon of classic examples.

In this paper, we will review genetic studies of PTC blindness and the evidence for the pleiotropic effects of this gene, strategies for gene identification and recent linkage results.

Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), chemically related compounds, are probes for genetic variant in bitter taste, even though PROP is safer with much less sulfurous odor . The potential to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) indicates complicated inheritance in humans .

Phenylthiocarbamide tasting, a genetically controlled ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and a number of related substances, all of which have some antithyroid activity. PTC-tasting ability is a simple genetic trait governed by a pair of alleles, dominant T for tasting and recessive t …

Phenylthiocarbamide: a 75-year adventure in genetics and natural selection