I can only speak for myself, and my goals, of course...
I fully understand the point you make, and, scientifically, it is a very good and valid point. But, as you mentioned, most of that has already been done using completely "off base" scents(such as the strawberries), and shown, at least moderately scientifically, to be effective in imprinting the animal to accept the food scent from the egg. IMO(humbly), using a lizard scenting technique would be scientifically redundant, and not something I, personally, am interested in.
For my own goals...the task is merely a chance to make it easier to get hatchlings to eat mice from the egg. Specifically, greyband, Florida, and Mexican black kingsnakes, which are in my future breeding plans. I was under the impression(since next spring will my first actual foray into breeding) that cornsnakes can often be difficult, because they instinctually trigger on anoles and other small lizards, due to the ready availability, and the reasonable size in their native areas. The only reason for me to try on my corn clutches next spring is to decide if I want to invest in Mouse Maker, or if I can create a similar product myself. If I see no difference between the commercially available scent and my homemade "mouse juice", I see no reason to invest in the commercial scent. Perhaps a "scientifically selfish" goal, but truly the only aspect of importance to me and my personal objectives.
If, through sheer observation and luck, it is concluded that cornsnake hatchlings can be more quickly "turned over" because of more ready acceptance of pinkies as a food source...so be it. It will mean less time in the hands of breeders before being sold, which, ultimately, increases the bottom line for the breeders. It would also mean happier customers, because "problem feeders" would be fewer and farther between than they currently are. But the last thing I, personally, want to do, is to imprint a 1/4 clutch of corns to readily accept a food source that is neither readily available nor cost-effective to my own means. What am I, as a small-time breeder and seller of cornsnakes, going to do with 4-6 snakes that don't want to eat anything but lizards? It would consume WAY to much of an already very marginal profit, and increase the length of time that these snakes NEED to be in my posession before they can be sold...which is, again, in my humble opinion, completely the opposite of the desired outcome.
So I agree with your motives, and the collection of the scientific data for data sake. But for me and my goals...it isn't worth it to test an already tested hypothesis, to my own financial detriment. Perhaps someone with a more readily and cost-effectively available supply of lizards would be willing to test to those ends. But I can't reasonably accomplish something like that, nor am I inclined to further test an already proven hypothesis.
I seriously hope that doesn't cause you to think less of me, or to think less of my starting this topic. It is, ultimately, a business decision for me to even begin investigating this scenario as a means to a necessary ends...not a scientific one...I just wanted to know what other people's opinions were on the matter, and if anyone had tried it, thought about trying, or had any further insight to the scenario, as I only had a small paragraph in a much larger article to go by...