Development of standardized sensory methodologies: some applications to Protected Designation of Origin cheeses

Sensory analysis is a growing science, which is of particular interest for typical products such as those which have a Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.). Accreditation legislative demands for laboratories which analyse P.D.O. products require the establishment of standardized methods of senso ry analysis. The fields of application are quite diversified, and include b asic and specific characterization of the various typologies within the P.D .O areas, research of market sector preferences (choice, acceptance and con sumption), quality control, instrumental technique verification, and the pr otection of "typicity" against imitations. The development of new instrumen tal techniques and the application of advanced statistical procedures will give new impetus to the development of this science in the future.