Why Do Aspirin Tablets Taste Sour?

  • Thread starter richievuong
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In summary, aspirin tablets taste sour because they contain an ester called acetylsalicylic acid which is synthesized from salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. The Latin word for sour is "acidus" which explains the sour taste. Nature also produces another ester of salicylic acid through a traditional topical analgesic that smells nice, but this ester does not taste sour since it is not an acid.
  • #1
richievuong
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Q: Why do aspirin tablets taste sour?

A: I know that Aspirin is an ester (acetylsalicylic acid), and it is synthesized by combining salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. But other than the fact that acids taste sour...is there a further explanation of why aspirin tablets taste sour?
 
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  • #2
I believe you've hit on the correct explanation. Acids do taste sour, in fact the Latin word for sour is acidus.

Extra: Nature has a way of synthesizing another ester of salicylic acid? What organism does this? What is the name of this compound?
 
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  • #3
Extra hint: it's a traditional topical analgesic, and it smells nice.
 
  • #4
And the ester that you two talk off does not taste sour presumably because it's not an acid.
 

FAQ: Why Do Aspirin Tablets Taste Sour?

1. Why do aspirin tablets taste sour?

Aspirin tablets taste sour because they contain acetylsalicylic acid, which is a weak acid that gives the tablets their characteristic sour taste.

2. Is the sour taste in aspirin tablets harmful?

No, the sour taste in aspirin tablets is not harmful. In fact, it is a sign that the aspirin is still active and has not expired.

3. Can the sour taste in aspirin tablets be masked?

Yes, the sour taste in aspirin tablets can be masked with coatings or flavorings. This is often done to make the tablets more palatable for those who have a strong aversion to the sour taste.

4. Does the amount of acid in aspirin tablets affect their effectiveness?

No, the amount of acid in aspirin tablets does not affect their effectiveness. As long as the tablet contains enough acetylsalicylic acid, it will have the desired effect regardless of the amount of acid in it.

5. Why do some people not taste the sourness in aspirin tablets?

Some people may not taste the sourness in aspirin tablets due to genetic variations in taste receptors. Additionally, chronic use of aspirin can desensitize taste buds, making it difficult to detect the sour taste.

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