Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of sensory evaluation in product development?
To inform decision-making during a product's life cycle
How has the role of sensory evaluation changed over the years?
It now partners with R&D and marketing
What can sensory and instrumental testing combined provide insights into?
Chemical and physical properties driving sensory attributes
How can sensory testing be used in determining shelf life for products?
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In what situation may it be possible to replace a sensory panel with instrumental testing?
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What is the main purpose of sensory evaluation?
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Why is the sensory professional required to have skills from various disciplines?
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In what way do objective and subjective testing differ in sensory evaluation?
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What is one of the challenges faced by sensory professionals when conducting evaluations?
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How has sensory evaluation developed since its emergence in the 1940s?
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Study Notes
Definition and Evolution of Sensory Evaluation
- Sensory evaluation is a scientific method that evokes, measures, analyzes, and interprets responses to products as perceived through the senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.
- It has developed into a dynamic and constantly evolving discipline recognized as a scientific field in its own right since its emergence in the 1940s.
Categories of Sensory Testing
- Sensory evaluation can be divided into two categories: objective and subjective testing.
- Objective testing (Discriminative & Descriptive) evaluates sensory attributes of a product using a selected or trained panel.
- Subjective testing (Affective) measures consumers' reactions to the sensory properties of products.
Role of Sensory Evaluation
- The role of sensory evaluation has changed considerably over the years, shifting from being a service provider to a partner with R&D and marketing in guiding development and commercial strategy.
- Sensory professionals inform decision-making during a product's life cycle, from conception to post-launch monitoring.
Applications of Sensory Evaluation
- Sensory testing helps identify important sensory attributes driving acceptability across a product category.
- It can identify sensory-based target consumer segments, analyze competitor products, and evaluate new concepts.
- Combining sensory and instrumental testing data can provide insights into chemical and physical properties driving sensory attributes.
- Sensory testing can determine the impact of scaling up production, detect changes in raw ingredients, and ensure quality assurance.
Quality Assurance and Shelf Life
- Sensory testing can set consumer acceptability limits for sensory specifications used during quality testing.
- It can ensure substandard products are not released onto the market, particularly for products susceptible to taints.
- Sensory testing, along with microbial tests, can determine shelf life and product variability through the supply chain.
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