Evaluation of trigeminal pungency perception of allyl isothiocyanate – A time intensity (TI) study

Abstract

Allyl isothiocyanate, the primary pungent substance within mustard, horseradish, and wasabi, causes a burning sensation and a lachrymatory effect during consumption. In this time intensity study, the sensory perception of the chemical stimulus allyl isothiocyanate was evaluated in water-based, oil-based, and mustard recipe-based carrier matrices. The results indicate that perceived pungency intensity and time course of perception were both strongly dependent upon allyl isothiocyanate concentration and the composition of the carrier matrices. Increasing allyl isothiocyanate concentrations led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in maximum intensity of pungency (Imax) in all tested carrier matrices. The intensity of pungency perception for allyl isothiocyanate decreased depending upon the specific matrix used. Specifically, this decrease occurred in the order oil-based carrier < mustard-based carrier < water-based carrier at similar allyl isothiocyanate concentrations. The values for end time of pungency perception (TEnd) and duration of decreasing phase (DURDec) indicate that increasing allyl isothiocyanate concentrations prolong the duration of pungency perception. Allyl isothiocyanate was perceived longer in water than in oil- and mustard-based carrier matrices.