Prediction of carrot sensory attributes by mechanical tests and electronic tongue

Abstract

The objective of the work reported was to predict some sensory attributes of carrots stored under non-ideal conditions from the data obtained on taste measured by electronic tongue and on the physical properties (acoustic stiffness, cutting force, deformation work ratio and luminosity). There was a close correlation between the mechanical characteristics and the non-ideal storage time. Sensory evaluation showed significant ranking in “bite and chewing”, “sweet taste” and “global impression” attributes according to the Page test. Principal component analysis (PCA) plots were determined for the acoustic stiffness coefficient, cutting force and deformation work ratio and these showed that PC1 followed a tendency similar to that of the storage time. PCA plots were determined for the electronic tongue measurements and this PCA separated the sample groups along PC1 and PC2. We used partial least square (PLS) regression to predict “bite and chewing” from the acoustic stiffness coefficient, cutting force, and deformation work ratio with an acceptable correlation. The “sweet taste” was predicted from the electronic tongue measurement results with good correlation. The “global impression” was predicted by the acoustic stiffness coefficient, cutting force and deformation work ratio, and by the electronic tongue measurement results with close correlation.