DMT40143-STATISTICS IN SENSORY EVALUATION FOR FOOD SCIENCE

LAB 4 : SENSORY EVALUATION

1.0 TOPIC: BASIC ODOUR RECOGNITION TEST

2.0 OBJECTIVE:

At the end of this lab student must be able to:

i) describe anatomy and physiology of olfactory system and smelling
techniques.
ii) identify factors influencing smells; test objectives, physical condition of
panelists, types of sample, samples preparation and presentation and
knowledge about the sample.

3.0 THEORY:

Both Basic Taste Recognition Test and Basic Odour Recognition Test are useful
for general screening process of panelists. Common household substances can be
used for odour recognition testing. The odourous substances (10 – 15) should be
placed in dark coloured (clear vials may be wrapped in aluminium foil) glass vilas
or test tubes to mask any visual cues, and tightly capped. Liquids may be poured
onto a cotton ball in the tube, while solids can be placed directly into the tube and
covered with a cotton ball or square of cheesecloth. Vials or tubes should be filled
¼ - ½ full in order to leave a headspace above the sample for volatiles to
concentrate. Panelists who are unable to smell many of the substances are likely
anosmic or may have nasal or sinus congestion and will likely not be good
candidates for odour or flavour panels.

4.0 SAMPLES AND MATERIALS

Ten coded samples with different odours.

5.0 PROCEDURE

1. Bring the vial to your nose, remove the lid and take 3 short sniffs.
2. Record the name of the odour or a related odour if you cannot identify the
exact spice. For example, spicy if they cannot name the exact spice.
3. When interpreting result, give a full score to a correct name, and a half
score to a relate name.
 DMT40143-STATISTICS IN SENSORY EVALUATION FOR FOOD SCIENCE

6.0 RESULT

BALLOT FOR BASIC ODOUR RECOGNITION TEST

Name : ………………………………….

Date : …………………………………..

BASIC ODOUR RECOGNITION

The covered vials contain odorous substances commonly found in the home or
workplace. Bring the vial to your nose, remove the cap, take 3 short sniffs and try to
identify the odour. If you cannot think of the exact name of the substance, try to
describe something which this odour reminds you of.

Sample Code Odour

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J