I296V; rs10246939) and grouped by haplotype. Serum and red cell folate levels (chemiluminescent immunoassay) and estimated folate intake (food frequency questionnaires) were determined. 6-n-propylthiouracil solutions were used to determine bitter taste phenotype ("taster"/"nontaster"). Differences between groups were assessed by t-tests, c 2 tests and RR of AP. Results: TAS2R38 haplotype significantly, but only partially predicted taster phenotype (r ¼ 0.43, c 2 ¼35.5, p < 0.001). There were no

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... significant differences in folate intake or red cell folate in those with the PAV haplotype, relative to those without. Those with the PAV haplotype had significantly higher serum folate (17.95 ± 0.88 vs. 21.17 ± 1.42 nmol/L, p ¼ ¼ 0.046). "Tasters" consumed significantly less folate (436.7 ± 15.7 vs. 521.0 ± 40.2 mg/d, p ¼ 0.021) and had lower serum (18.52 ± 0.08 vs. 22.34 ± 1.53 nmol/L, p ¼ 0.024) and red cell folate (832.2 ± 32.7 vs. 973.4 ± 58.1 nmol/L, p ¼ 0.030), compared to "Non-tasters". Neither haplotype nor phenotype alone predicted AP risk. Conclusions: Folate status significantly varies with phenotype, but not haplotype, but neither adequately predicted AP. Phenotype may be modified by additional factors (genetic, epigenetic, sociocultural), which may influence the axis between diet and disease. Funding source(s): CSIRO.