A comparison of tetrad and triangle test: case study on sweetener products using consumer panels

Abstract

The development of sensory test methods in the food industry is increasing with the need for product development to meet consumer acceptance. The food industry examine the presence or absence of production differences using appropriate sensory tests is discriminatory tests (different tests). The most popular and widely used different test in the food industry is the triangle test, but it has the disadvantage of developing a tetrad test that is supposed to have a more powerful statistical advantage. The study aimed to compare triangle test with tetrad test on sweetener products. The panelists used in this research were consumer panelists of sweetener product aged 20–65 years old based on medical history catagorised into 3 groups: (1) non-diabetic without diabetic offspring, (2) non-diabetic with diabetic offspring, (3) and diabetic. Total panelists were 100 with duplicate. Different tests were analyzed with the concept of signal detection theory and Thurstonian models (Proportion correct response, Pc, d’, p value, perceptual noise, and test power). The result showed that tetrad test can replace triangle test on sweetener product A and C using non-diabetic panelists without diabetic offspring and combination of all panelists group, as well as sweetener B with combination of all panelist group, because having perceptual noise less than 50% (1.64–32.09%), and is supported by power value that stated strength of tetrad test is more powerful (test power triangle: 0.215–0.994, test power of tetrad test: 0.445–1.000).