Automated Classification of 6-n-Propyltiouracil Taster Status with Machine Learning

Several studies have used taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) to evaluate interindividual taste variability and its impact on food preferences, nutrition, and health. We used a supervised learning (SL) approach for the automatic identification of the PROP taster categories (super taster (ST); medium taster (MT); and non-taster (NT)) of 84 subjects (aged 18–40 years). Biological features determined from subjects were included for the training system. Results showed that SL enables the automatic identification of objective PROP taster status, with high precision (97%). The biological features were classified in order of importance in facilitating learning and as prediction factors. The ratings of perceived taste intensity for PROP paper disks (50 mM) and PROP solution (3.2 mM), along with fungiform papilla density, were the most important features, and high estimated values pushed toward ST prediction, while low values leaned toward NT prediction. Furthermore, TAS2R38 genotypes were significant features (AVI/AVI, PAV/PAV, and PAV/AVI to classify NTs, STs, and MTs, respectively). These results, in showing that the SL approach enables an automatic, immediate, scalable, and high-precision classification of PROP taster status, suggest that it may represent an objective and reliable tool in taste physiology studies, with applications ranging from basic science and medicine to food sciences.

Comparison of Cheese Aroma Intensity Measured Using an Electronic Nose (E-Nose) Non-Destructively with the Aroma Intensity Scores of a Sensory Evaluation: A Pilot Study

Cheese aroma is known to affect consumer preference. One of the methods to measure cheese aroma is the use of an electronic nose (e-nose), which has been used to classify cheese types, production areas, and cheese ages. However, few studies have directly compared the aroma intensity scores derived from sensory evaluations with the values of metal oxide semiconductor sensors that can easily measure the aroma intensity. This pilot study aimed to investigate the relationship between sensory evaluation scores and e-nose values with respect to cheese aroma. Five types of processed cheese (two types of normal processed cheese, one type containing aged cheese, and two types containing blue cheese), and one type of natural cheese were used as samples. The sensor values obtained using the electronic nose, which measured sample aroma non-destructively, and five sensory evaluation scores related to aroma (aroma intensity before intake, during mastication, and after swallowing; taste intensity during mastication; and remaining flavor after swallowing (lasting flavor)) determined by six panelists, were compared. The e-nose values of many of the tested cheese types were significantly different, whereas the sensory scores of the one or two types of processed cheese containing blue cheese and those of the natural cheese were significantly different. Significant correlations were observed between the means of e-nose values and the medians of aroma intensity scores derived from the sensory evaluation testing before intake, during mastication, and after swallowing. In particular, the aroma intensity score during mastication was found to have a linear relationship with the e-nose values (Pearson’s R = 0.983). In conclusion, the e-nose values correlated with the sensory scores with respect to cheese aroma intensity and could be helpful in predicting them.

Partial and Total Replacement of Soybean Meal with Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae Meal in Broiler Chicken Diets: Impact on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality and Meat Quality

The aim of this study was to compare selected growth performance parameters and slaughter characteristics in broiler chickens fed diets with a different content of full-fat Hermetia illucens L. (HI) larvae meal. The experiment was performed on 384 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) reared to 42 d of age and assigned to four dietary treatments (HI0—control diet and diets where soybean meal protein (SBM) was replaced with HI protein in 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively). The final body weights of chickens were as follows: 3010.0 g (HI0), 2650.0 g (HI50), 2590.0 g (HI75) and 2375.0 g (H100, p < 0.05). The carcasses of chickens from the experimental groups contained less meat and more abdominal fat. The feed conversion ratio for the entire experimental period was similar in groups HI0, HI50 and HI75 and more desirable than in group HI100 (p < 0.05). The meat of broiler chickens from groups HI75 and HI100 was characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower juiciness and taste intensity than the meat of birds from groups HI0 and HI50. The replacement of SBM protein with full-fat HI larvae meal in broiler diets exceeding 50% significantly compromised the growth performance of birds and the carcass and meat quality.

Events linked to Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in a Water Supply in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a case study

Tastes and odors in tap water are problems faced by water companies worldwide, with consumers complaints mainly during summer, when cyanobacterial blooms occur and produce compounds such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB). We analyzed the data on taste and odor intensity and total concentration of geosmin and 2-MIB compounds in drinking water and raw water collected by the sanitation company supplying of the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) during the 2020 and 2021 water crises. Statistical and metagenomic analyses of the raw water samples of the year 2020, were performed. Organoleptic data allowed to signal the presence of these taste and odor (T&O) compounds in the drinking water, and the mean values of taste intensity were above the maximum allowed value of the Brazilian legislation, on average 37.5 times in 2020 and 5 times in 2021, indicating that the measures did not eliminate the problem. There was a linear correlation of 0.97 between the standard organoleptic taste and the total concentration of T&O in 2020. Metagenomic data, from raw water in the year 2020, for the mtf, mic and glys genes indicated 2-MIB as responsible for T&O. Modifications in the surveillance system of catchment and drinking water quality need to be adopted to circumvent the problems of cyanobacterial blooms in the Guandu basin, as conditions favorable to blooms will occur as long as the sanitation problems in this watershed are not solved.

Playing Tetris Lets You Rate Odors as Less Intense

Overweight and obesity are considered a huge problem in modern societies. Previous studies have shown that people who are regularly distracted by playing videogames or watching TV while eating are more likely to be overweight and that the number of people that are gaming worldwide is rising. Further, it has been established that both, watching TV or playing video games lead to an increased snack intake and a lower rating of perceived taste intensity. Since flavor perception is accomplished not only by the sense of taste but also the sense of smell, we investigated the influence of cognitive load created by playing a video game on odor intensity perception. The participants played a low or high difficulty version of Tetris while presented with odors of food and non-food items. A higher skin conductance response (SCR) along with a decrease in task performance verified that the higher difficulty level leads to a higher cognitive load. Our behavioral data indicates a significant decrease in intensity estimates of food odors and non-food odors during the high compared to low cognitive load condition. We conclude that odor intensity estimation is influenced by real-life cognitive tasks which might in turn lead to overeating while distracted.

Near infrared spectroscopy determination of chemical and sensory properties in tomato

Fast and massive characterization of quality attributes in tomatoes is a necessary step toward its improvement; for sensory attributes this process is time-consuming and very expensive, which causes its absence in routine phenotpying. We aimed to assess the feasibility of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a fast and economical tool to predict both the chemical and sensory properties of tomatoes. We built partial least squares models from spectra recorded from tomato puree and juice in 53 genetically diverse varieties grown in two environments. Samples were divided in calibration (210 samples for chemical traits, 45 samples for sensory traits) and validation sets (60 and 10, respectively) using the Kennard Stone algorithm. Models from puree spectra gave validation r2 values higher than 0.97 for fructose, glucose, soluble solids content, and dry matter (relative standard error of prediction, RSEP% ranged 3.5–5.8), while r2 values for sensory properties were lower (ranging 0.702–0.917 for taste-related traits (RSEP%: 9.1–20.0), and 0.009–0.849 for texture related traits (RSEP%: 3.6–72.1)). For sensory traits such as explosiveness, juiciness, sweetness, acidity, taste intensity, aroma intensity, and mealiness, NIR spectroscopy is potentially useful for scanning large collections of samples to identify likely candidates to select for tomato quality.

Impact of packaging shape and material on consumer expectations

Packaging appearance is important in evoking consumer impressions. No study has yet explored how two prominent packaging attributes, shape and material, affect the consumers’ impressions and their expectations in the case of coffee products. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the packaging shape has an impact on the taste intensity expected by the consumer, and whether packaging materials influence the expected coffee quality. In an online experiment, 115 participants evaluated different packaging samples. They rated the expected taste intensity for packaging samples that varied in shape complexity (i.e., cylindrical, rounded-angular, hexagonal and multifaceted). They also rated the expected coffee quality for packaging samples that varied in material (i.e., plastic, aluminium, glass and metal). The results showed that the packaging with a higher degree of shape complexity was associated with a higher taste intensity. Furthermore, we found a negative effect of glass on the expectation of product quality. The findings could be applied in product packaging design which aims to match the expected and actual characteristics of the product.

KARAKTERISASI KEJU DANGKE MENGGUNAKAN ENZIM PAPAIN KOMERSIAL DAN PERUBAHAN FISIK SELAMA PENYIMPANAN

Dangke is one of the traditional cheeses made from buffalo milk or cow's milk from Enrekang, South Sulawesi,. This research aimed to obtain dangke cheese through a process using commercial papain as the curdling agent and to determine the best products based on the analysis of physical properties of the raw materials and the dangke. The dangke making was conducted using several concentrations of the commercial papain (0.2-5%). Based on the texture, yield and non-bitter taste intensity, the best dangke was obtained using 1, 3, and 5% commercial papain. Dangke made using 1, 3, and 5% commercial papain resulted in yields of 18, 17, and 18%, respectively with compact texture and non-bitter taste. At room temperature storage (±30°C), the dangke had shelf life of less than 24 hours, while at low temperature storage (±4°C), dangke could last for four days.

Effects of Oro-Sensory Exposure on Satiation and Underlying Neurophysiological Mechanisms—What Do We Know So Far?

The mouth is the first part of the gastrointestinal tract. During mastication sensory signals from the mouth, so-called oro-sensory exposure, elicit physiological signals that affect satiation and food intake. It has been established that a longer duration of oro-sensory exposure leads to earlier satiation. In addition, foods with more intense sweet or salty taste induce earlier satiation compared to foods that are equally palatable, but with lower taste intensity. Oro-sensory exposure to food affects satiation by direct signaling via the brainstem to higher cortical regions involved in taste and reward, including the nucleus accumbens and the insula. There is little evidence that oro-sensory exposure affects satiation indirectly through either hormone responses or gastric signals. Critical brain areas for satiation, such as the brainstem, should be studied more intensively to better understand the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the process of satiation. Furthermore, it is essential to increase the understanding of how of highly automated eating behaviors, such as oral processing and eating rate, are formed during early childhood. A better understanding of the aforementioned mechanisms provides fundamental insight in relation to strategies to prevent overconsumption and the development of obesity in future generations.

A recipe development process model designed to support a crop’s sensory qualities

The aim of this study is to apply a recipe development process designed to unfold how to start from a crop – especially less known landraces and varieties – and maximize its culinary utility. How can such a recipe development process be modelled? What more than the recipe itself can be obtained from the recipe development process? In this study, the objective is to create a basic recipe for grey peas that supports the crop’s sensory qualities, and test it in different food products. Using the recipe development process model, our results suggest that minced grey peas, which have authentic nutty flavours, pronounced chewing resistance and a combination of soft and hard textures, can be used to create appealing plant-based patties. When minced grey peas are fried in oil, greater taste intensity, spiciness, umami and complexity are achieved. Additional applications of minced grey peas were also identified, suggesting that the recipe development process can yield information on how to develop another food product with the same basic recipe. The recipe development process we suggest – the culinary funnel – can thus be used to explore the culinary possibilities of lesser known landraces and varieties.