PROFILING TO DESCRIBE THE SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF A SIMPLE-MODEL MENTHOL SOLUTION

The objective of this study was to compare data obtained using descrip tive analysis (DA) and free-choice profiling (FCP) of a simple model s olution. Three menthol isomers (l-, d-, dl-), each at 0.01, 0.02, and 0.04% (w/v), were tested. A trained DA panel (n = 11) used two aroma, three nasal-sensation, two taste, and Jive mouth-sensation terms to de scribe the samples. An untrained panel (n = 15) used FCP to assess the same solutions. Individual FCP panelists used from nine to twenty-one terms. All DA terms significantly discriminated among the samples. Se ven to eighteen of the FCP panelist descriptors significantly discrimi nated among the samples. Procrustes analyses (PA) indicated that FCP a nd DA similarly discriminated among the samples, possibly because the solutions were essentially one dimensional. Sample loadings on dimensi on I of both spaces were correlated (r = 0.966) as were dimension 2 lo adings (r = 0.783). The FCP Re-value was 91.2% and the DA Re value was 85.6%. At higher concentrations (0.04 and 0.02%) 1-menthol was signif icantly stronger than d-menthol in eucalyptus aroma, nasal clearing, a ll mouth cooling attributes, and bitter aftertaste. At 0.01% concentra tion no significant differences were detected among the menthol isomer s.