Taste test detects influenza viruses in minutes

Influenza is among the most dangerous infectious diseases worldwide, causing around half a million deaths each year. Since flu viruses can spread before symptoms appear, early detection is crucial. However, existing diagnostic tools are often expensive, complex, or unavailable in many low-resource regions.

A research group led by Professor Lorenz Meinel at the University of Würzburg has presented the foundation for a new self-diagnostic method for influenza, published in ACS Central Science.

The new diagnostic concept could make influenza detection quick, affordable, and accessible. The test works through chewing gum or lollipops containing a taste sensor that reacts to influenza viruses in saliva. When viruses are present, a flavor molecule is released, creating a noticeable taste; when absent, the product remains neutral.

“This strategy opens up new possibilities for the early detection and control of influenza worldwide,” says Lorenz Meinel, Chair of Drug Formulation and Delivery at the University of Würzburg.

The diagnostic tool combines the natural compound thymol, found in thyme, with a virus-specific sugar molecule. When it encounters active influenza viruses, the sugar molecule breaks down, releasing thymol and producing a recognizable flavor.

“Instead of relying on expensive and complicated testing procedures, we use the natural human sensory system – taste – as a tool for the early detection of infections,” says Meinel.

Both the flavor and recognition molecule can be adapted, allowing for variations in sweetness, bitterness, or saltiness. The concept can also be transferred to other pathogens by replacing the virus-specific sugar with a bacteria-specific peptide, maintaining the same mechanism.

The research team is currently developing prototypes to integrate the sensor into chewing gum and lollipops and preparing the system for large-scale production. This process is supported by FlareOn Biotech GmbH, a start-up founded in 2024 at the University of Würzburg.

Such easy-to-use diagnostics could be particularly valuable in schools, childcare centers, or nursing homes, as well as in regions with limited healthcare access, helping to contain outbreaks early.

Future applications may include a smartphone app that enables users to voluntarily log positive test results. These data could help track influenza spread in real time. Using artificial intelligence, health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) could forecast potential epidemic or pandemic developments.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of Würzburg