Search Results (10)

The evaluation of aroma-active profiles in dry-cured hams is crucial for determining quality, flavor, consumer acceptance, and economic value. This study characterized the volatile compounds in five varieties of dry-cured hams using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) and an electronic nose (E-Nose). In total, 78 volatile compounds were identified across five varieties of dry-cured hams. A total of 29 compounds were recognized as aroma-active compounds. Odor description, intensity, and hedonic assessment were employed to evaluate these compounds. Black Hoof Cured Ham and Special-grade Xuan-Zi Ham contained higher levels of favorable compounds such as nonanal, 5-butyldihydro-2(3H)-furanone, and 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, contributing to sweet and popcorn-like notes. In contrast, Fei-Zhong-Wang Ham and Liang-Tou-Wu Ham exhibited higher proportions of off-odor compounds with lower hedonic scores. A principal component analysis clearly separated the five hams based on their aroma-active profiles, and a correlation analysis between E-Nose sensor responses and GC-MS-O data demonstrated a strong discriminatory ability for specific samples. These findings offer valuable insights into the chemical and sensory differentiation of dry-cured hams and provide a scientific basis for quality control, product development, and future improvements in E-Nose sensor design and intelligent aroma assessment. Full article

In this study, panelists in rural Bangladesh (n = 150) assessed the sensory attributes of two cooked and uncooked dehulled red lentils: the control (unfortified lentils) and lentils fortified with eight vitamins and two minerals (multiple micronutrient fortified; MMF). The panelists evaluated the appearance, odor, and overall acceptability using a nine-point hedonic scale (1 = extremely dislike; 9 = extremely like). The taste and texture of the cooked lentils, prepared as South Asian lentil meals, were assessed. Consumer responses varied significantly in the appearance of the uncooked lentils but were similar in odor and overall acceptability. Meanwhile, the five traits of the cooked lentils, including overall acceptability, showed significantly similar consumer responses. This suggests that fortification had a minimal impact on the sensory qualities of the MMF lentils. Furthermore, a highly significant (p < 0.0001) correlation coefficient (with values ranging from −0.98 to 0.97) was observed between HunterLab colorimetric measurements (L = luminosity, a* = red hue, and b* = yellow hue) and sensory trait ratings. The Cronbach’s alpha (CA) score for both the cooked control and MMF lentils was 0.79. The average CA score for the cooked lentils was 0.79, while for the uncooked lentils, it was 0.71, demonstrating the strong reliability of the panelists’ assessments. Overall, the sensory qualities of the MMF lentils were acceptable and did not differ significantly from those of the control lentils. Full article

Recently, the interest in tropical fruits has increased widely even beyond their production areas, but the perishable nature of these fruits makes their marketing difficult. However, due to its special sensory characteristics and nutritional value, lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a good candidate for product development to meet this ever-growing demand. Therefore, a lulo-powder-based soluble beverage was prepared according to previously established formulations. Thus, the aim of the present research was to obtain the sensory characterization, study consumers’ overall acceptability, and identify drivers of liking for the new beverage. Eight samples were prepared with lulo juice or pulp + stevia, or a sweetener blend (erythritol + xylitol + stevia). Maltodextrin or inulin, as a drying aid, was added to freeze-dry the samples. The freeze-dried samples were rehydrated for consumption. The sensory characterization of the new beverage was carried out by using CATA questions with consumers (n = 69). The most influential attributes that affected acceptability were identified by using ideal product characterization and hedonic scores of the samples. The beverage formulations with stevia alone had the lowest acceptability. Most sensory differences among samples were found between the visual attributes. The attributes “clean”, “homogeneous”, “fruity” and “citrus” odor, “just-right acidity”, “just-right sweetness”, and “fresh” were necessary to increase global acceptance in the juice-only beverages (Js), whereas “cloudy”, “off-odor”, and “very acidic” negatively impacted acceptance. For products with pulp (Ps), “citrus” and “tropical fruit” odors, “just-right acidity”, “just-right sweetness”, and “fresh” attributes were needed to increase acceptance, while “cloudy” and “chemical/artificial” flavors negatively impacted acceptance. The lulo-powder-based soluble beverage was accepted by consumers; however, there is still potential for the sensory-quality improvement of this product. Full article

This article presents a new way to determine odor nuisance based on the proposed odor air quality index ($OAQ{I}_I$), using an instrumental method. This indicator relates the most important odor features, such as intensity, hedonic tone and odor concentration. The research was conducted at the compost screening yard of the municipal treatment plant in Central Poland, on which a self-constructed gas sensor array was placed. It consisted of five commercially available gas sensors: three metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) chemical sensors and two electrochemical ones. To calibrate and validate the matrix, odor concentrations were determined within the composting yard using the field olfactometry technique. Five mathematical models (e.g., multiple linear regression and principal component regression) were used as calibration methods. Two methods were used to extract signals from the matrix: maximum signal values from individual sensors and the logarithm of the ratio of the maximum signal to the sensor baseline. The developed models were used to determine the predicted odor concentrations. The selection of the optimal model was based on the compatibility with olfactometric measurements, taking the mean square error as a criterion and their accordance with the proposed $OAQ{I}_I$. For the first method of extracting signals from the matrix, the best model was characterized by RMSE equal to 8.092 and consistency in indices at the level of 0.85. In the case of the logarithmic approach, these values were 4.220 and 0.98, respectively. The obtained results allow to conclude that gas sensor arrays can be successfully used for air quality monitoring; however, the key issues are data processing and the selection of an appropriate mathematical model. Full article

There is growing interest in Origanum syriacum due to attractive culinary applications and functional properties. Solar drying is the most common conventional method for drying Origanum syriacum L. (Za’atar) in Mediterranean region. This study aimed to evaluate the quality traits of solar dried za’atar in comparison to freeze dried za’atar. Proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, and ash), color index (L*a*b*), macro and microstructure, sensory, and microbiological characteristics were evaluated. Solar dried za’atar exhibited significantly lower fat content (1.10 vs. 1.64%, p < 0.05) than freeze dried za’atar. Solar drying led to severe changes in color values compared to freeze drying. Solar drying exhibited loss in the structural integrity and leave hairs more than freeze drying. Moreover, freeze-dried za’atar exhibited significantly lower total aerobic count (4.92 vs. 5.23, p < 0.05) and yeasts and mold count (4.59 vs. 5.36, p < 0.05) than solar-dried za’atar. Panelists were able significantly to differentiate between solar- and freeze dried za’atar. Freeze-dried za’atar had significantly lower hedonic score of color, odor, taste, and overall acceptance than solar dried za’atar. In conclusion, using freeze drying achieved good improvements in some quality traits for za’atar while solar dried za’atar showed better sensory perception. Full article

Tef is currently being incorporated into a wide range of foodstuff due to its high nutritional profile. This study tries to fill the information gap on the effect of tef varieties on physico-chemical, nutritional and sensorial quality of gluten-free bread. Maize starch replacement at 50, 75 and 100 g/100 g level by tef flour from three Ethiopian varieties (DZ-Cr-37, DZ-Cr-387 and DZ-01-99) resulted in viable gluten-free breads with acceptable sensory properties, higher mineral content and lower glycemic response. Tef cultivar type and blending level significantly affected bread quality. The 50% and 75% substitution levels and the DZ-Cr-37 variety led to the highest bread volumes with the lowest firmness. Breads made with DZ-01-99 variety were darker and with more reddish crust and crumb hues than those made with the other varieties. Breads from 100% DZ-Cr-37 achieved the highest hedonic scores for color, odor, taste and texture. The Ca, Fe and Mg contents of the breads made with 100% tef were 13, 40 and 30 times, respectively, higher than those of the control bread (100% maize starch), indicating tef could be used as an excellent source of these important minerals. In addition, the rapidly digestible starch content decreased up to 28% in breads fortified with tef flour. Full article

Apple juice was subjected to centrifugal block cryoconcentration (CBCC) for three cycles and their effect on the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, volatile profile, and sensory analysis was investigated. In the final cycle, the solutes were approximately four-fold of the initial condition (≈14 °Brix) and the color (ΔE* ≈ 25.0) was darker than the fresh juice, with bioactive compound concentration values close to 819 mg GAE/100 g d.m., 248 and 345 mg CEQ/100 g d.m. for total polyphenol, flavonoid, and flavanol content, respectively, equivalent to a retention of over 60%. DPPH and FRAP assays presented high antioxidant activities, with values of approximately 1803 μmol TE/100 g d.m. and 2936 μmol TE/100 g d.m, respectively. The cryoconcentrate showed a similar aromatic profile to the fresh juice, with 29 and 28 volatile compounds identified, respectively. The centrifugal force allowed to obtain excellent process parameters, with 73%, 0.87 (kg/kg), and 85% for efficiency, solute yield, and percentage of concentrate, respectively. Sensory evaluation shows that the odor, aroma, and flavor of fresh sample were remained in the reconstituted cryoconcentrate sample, with good qualifications (four points in a five-score hedonic scale) by trained panelists. Therefore, CBCC can preserve important quality attributes from apple juice. Full article

(1) Background: When it comes to estimating the annoyance potency of odors, European countries relate to different guidelines. In a previous study we compared complaint rates for different agricultural odors, but due to different guidelines, the results we obtained are hard to generalize. (2) Methods: We compare our findings on complaint rates to Dutch and German findings on annoyance rates, using diverse regression models. We also discuss whether the use of the polarity profile for hedonic odor quality could improve annoyance potency assessment. This is demonstrated by comparing the graphical profiles of two different odor types (swine and cattle). (3) Results: Official complaint rates are comparable to a percentage of annoyed residents. Confounder variables such as personal variables do not greatly contribute to annoyance. However, individual emission sites also showed an important influence on complaints and hence on annoyance. Considering the hedonic quality of odors via the polarity profile method for improving an annoyance potency assessment cannot be recommended when using the given state of the method. This is particularly true when it comes to the rating of specific odors, as the method then seems to lack reliability. (4) Conclusions: Where data on annoyance rates are lacking, complaint data could be used instead. Full article

The aim of this work was to gain insight into the effect of food formulation on aroma release and perception, both of which playing an important role in food appreciation. The quality and quantity of retronasal aroma released during food consumption affect the exposure time of olfactory receptors to aroma stimuli, which can influence nutritional and hedonic characteristics, as well as consumption behaviors. In yogurts, fruit preparation formulation can be a key factor to modulate aroma stimulation. In this context, the impact of size and hardness of fruit pieces in fat-free pear yogurts was studied. Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) was used to allow sensitive and on-line monitoring of volatile odorous compound release in the breath during consumption. In parallel, a trained panel used sensory profile and Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) methods to characterize yogurt sensory properties and their dynamic changes during consumption. Results showed that the size of pear pieces had few effects on aroma release and perception of yogurts, whereas fruit hardness significantly influenced them. Despite the fact that yogurts presented short and similar residence times in the mouth, this study showed that fruit preparation could be an interesting formulation factor to enhance exposure time to stimuli and thus modify food consumption behaviors. These results could be taken into account to formulate new products that integrate both nutritional and sensory criteria. Full article

This paper reviews evidence that, in addition to incidental olfactory pollutants, intentional odor delivery can impact cognitive operations both positively and negatively. Evidence for cognitive facilitation/interference is reviewed alongside four potential explanations for odor-induced effects. It is concluded that the pharmacological properties of odors can induce changes in cognition. However, these effects can be accentuated/attenuated by the shift in mood following odor exposure, expectancy of cognitive effects, and cues to behavior via the contextual association with the odor. It is proposed that greater consideration is required in the intentional utilization of odors within both industrial and private locations, since differential effects are observed for odors with positive hedonic qualities. Full article