Q. What is Salty taste?
Various ions both cations and anions are responsible for the salty taste. These include: K (Potassium), Na (Sodium), Li (Lithium), Cl, Br (Bromine), I (Iodine), F(Fluorine), SO4 (Sulphate), NO3 (Nitrate). As you move from Li to NO3, the molecular weight increases and saltiness decreases. Threshold values for some salts are given herewith:
NaCl (Sodium chloride) 0.175%
LiCl (Lithium Chloride) 0.016%
NaBr (Sodium Bromide) 0.247%
NaI (Sodium Iodide) 0.42%
‘Salty' taste is due to ions of salts. Classic salty taste is represented by Sodium Chloride (NaCl).