|
Sensory analysis is
a scientific method used to
measure, analyze and interpret
responses to products as perceived
by the senses of sight, smell,
touch, taste and hearing. Sensory
analysis can be subdivided
into analytical sensory analysis
and consumer sensory analysis
using the following research
techniques:
Type
of analysis |
Tests |
Question
of interest |
Analytical |
Discrimination
tests |
Are
products different
in any way? |
Descriptive
tests |
How
do products
differ in specific
sensory characteristics? |
Consumer |
Affective
tests |
How
well are products
liked or which
products are
preferred? |
 Sensory
Science in the food industry
The new challenges facing the
food industry are progressively
transforming sensory analysis
in such a way that it plays
a more proactive role, i.e.
generating new product ideas
based on unique sensory properties
or unique consumer segments
identified only through sensory
behaviour.
Sensory analysis can therefore be regarded as a critical
component of the Product Development and Quality Control
divisions of food manufacturing companies.
(Fotos: Jacques Botha www.jbphoto.co.za)
Sensory Science
Facility at SU
The
Sensory Science Facility is primarily used for basic
research in the field of sensory perception
of food and food components. However, the facility also
provides scientific and technical services
to the South African food and beverage industry. We
have experience in
- Descriptive and discrimination
testing using trained
panels, i.e. recruiting,
training and managing
sensory panels and using
different descriptive/discrimination
test methods for a wide
range of food products
and beverages
- Consumer testing, i.e.
recruiting the target
consumer and testing for
sensory acceptance and
preference using the hedonic
scale or other appropriate
tests
- Statistical analyses of
data in collaboration
with the ARC Biometry
Unit, Infruitec, Stellenbosch
- Presenting workshops in
the theory and practice
of Sensory Science to
the QC and R&D divisions
of food manufacturing
companies
Contact
details
Nina Muller -
Department
of Food Science,
Faculty
of AgriSciences,
Stellenbosch
University
E-mail: mm7@sun.ac.za
Tel:
+27 21 808 3398 or 021 808
3578
|
