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SummaryTwenty-five healthy female college students were studied for the gustatory function tests for salt (NaCl) and some selected biochemical parameters including plasma retinol and plasma retinol-binding protein (PRBP). Plasma zinc (PZn) and retinol levels were comparable with those of good responders in tests of discrimination between two levels of NaCl in the previous report, but PRBP was lower in the present subjects. From the results of correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression ana lysis, the individual students' discriminability of NaCI concentrations was related to the parameters regarding metabolic status of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and selenium (Se). The detection thresh old of NaCI concentration ranged from 1 to 60mmol/liter and was related to PRBP. Plasma Zn was significantly positively correlated with both plasma retinol and PRBP, but significantly negatively correlated only for the detection threshold of NaCI concentration. On the basis of these results, the importance of vitamin-A nutrition and the relation of minerals such as Na, Ca, Mg, and Zn to the gustatory functions of NaCI was confirmed and a possible participation of Se to the functions was suggested. Key Words discrimination between NaCl concentrations, detection threshold for taste of salt, minerals in plasma and urine, sodium, potas 209

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