Comparison of sensory and consumer results with electronic nose and tongue sensors for apple juices

Abstract

Research was conducted to compare apple juice quality measured by consumers, a trained sensory panel [using the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) method], and instrument analysis using “α-ASTREE” Liquid Taste Analyzer (electronic tongue) and the Prometheus (electronic nose—sensor array and mass spectrometry). Results from these analyses demonstrate that the electronic tongue and electronic nose, in combination, can be used to predict the sensory characteristics and their relationship to the quality of apple juices measured by consumers. Applications of these findings are important for Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) as they demonstrate that these instruments may be used to track “consumer-defined quality” of apple juice, as long as key measures have been identified a priori. That is, sensory, consumer, physical/chemical, and electronic tongue and nose research must be conducted initially to identify key measures used to define quality for the target consumer.