Determination of Numerical Papillae Distribution Affecting the Taste Sensitivity on the Tongue with Image Processing Techniques

In this study, numerical papillae distribution on tongue are determined with image processing and according to the region and papillae number, taste sensitivity is calculated. Aim is to calculate taste sensitivity and examining effect of person's age and nutrition style to the papillae number and taste sensitivity. At the project, codes are written at Python and OpenCV is used for image processing. To detect papillae, tongue image is used and Gaussian Filter is applied to remove the noise. Filtered image is passed from Canny Edge Detection function to detect edges on tongue. Papillae detection is done by using edges. Tongue is examined in three pieces. Each piece is multiplied by coefficient to determine papillae number. Papillae density is calculated by using papillae number and area. Smoking effect is calculated by using tongue color. Taste sensitivity is obtained at the result of polinomial operation of papillae number, papillae density, smoking effect and person's age. Input images are separated to age groups. Relation between age group and papillae number is observed. Also, effect of nutrition to the papillae distribution is examined between the people in same age group. At the trials, papillae is detected thus papillae density and taste sensitivity are calculated.