Gas chromatography-olfactometry.
GC-olfactometry (GC-O) refers to the use of human assessors as a sensitive and selective detector for odour-active compounds. The aim of this technique is to determine the odour activity of volatile compounds in a sample extract, and assign a relative importance to each compound. Methods can be classified into three types: detection frequency, dilution to threshold and direct intensity. Dilution to threshold methods measure the potency of odour-active compounds by using a series of extract dilutions, whereas detection frequency and direct-intensity methods measure odour-active compound intensity, or relative importance, in a single concentrated extract. Factors that should be considered to improve the value of GC-O analysis are the extraction method, GC instrument conditions, including the design and operation of the odour port, methods of recording GC-O data and controlling the potential for human assessor bias using experimental design and a trained panel. Considerable emphasis is placed on the requirement for multidimensional GC analysis, and on best practice when using human assessors.
Delahunty
Conor M
CM
Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. conor.delahunty@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Eyres
Graham
G
Dufour
Jean-Pierre
JP
D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012903:Smell; D014835:Volatilization