A Deep Learning Method for Yogurt Preferences Prediction Using Sensory Attributes

Kexin Bi,Tong Qiu,Yizhen Huang

doi:10.3390/pr8050518

Abstract

During the development of innovative products, consumer preferences are the essential factors for yogurt producers to improve their market share. A high-performance prediction method will be beneficial to understand the intrinsic relevance between preferences and sensory attributes. In this study, a novel deep learning method is proposed that uses an autoencoder to extract product features from the sensory attributes scored by experts, and the sensory features acquired are regressed on consumer preferences with support vector machine analysis. Model performance analysis, hedonic contour mapping, and feature clustering were implemented to validate the overall learning process. The results showed that the deep learning model can vouch an acceptable level of accuracy, and the hedonic mapping reflected could supply a great help for producers’ product design or modification. Finally, hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that for all three brands of yogurts, low temperature (4 °C) storage for no more than 4 weeks can promise the highest consumer preferences.

Highlights

As human living standards continue to rise, yogurt is getting popular among people from all walks of life
The averages of sensory attribute scores were set as an input of ε−support vector regression (ε−SVR)
The percentages of consumer preference were calculated using the partial least squares regression (PLSR) algorithm that had been previously applied to this dataset [35]

Summary

Introduction

As human living standards continue to rise, yogurt is getting popular among people from all walks of life. Taking the Chinese market as an example, market research by the National Bureau of Statistics of China [1] showed that the yogurt sales of China were increased from 33 billion yuan in 2010 to 101 billion yuan in 2016, while milk sales were increased from 67 billion yuan to 110 billion yuan over the same period. Yogurt sales reached 122 billion yuan in 2017, surpassing pure milk sales for the first time. It is estimated that by 2020, yogurt sales in China will reach 190 billion yuan [2]. The rapidly expanding yogurt market has delivered huge profits to yogurt producers, and catering to consumers’ tastes is one of the most important factors for yogurt producers to enlarge their market shares [4]. The accurate prediction of consumer preferences is crucial for yogurt producers aiming to attract new consumers as well as to maintain their brand loyalty [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion