Odor detection threshold

Threshold Values and Factors Influencing Detection

• Odor detection threshold is the concentration at which an aroma or taste can be detected in air, water, and fat.
• Recognition threshold is the concentration at which an odor can be identified by olfactory neurons.
• Odour activity value is calculated by dividing concentration by threshold.
• Flavor impact represents the change in perception with concentration.
• Flavor contribution can be determined from total odor units.
• Optical isomers may have different detection thresholds.
• Factors affecting thresholds include aroma in air, concentration in food, solubility, partition coefficient, and pH of food.
• Odor threshold can be expressed as a concentration in water or air.

Odor Detection Values and Types

• Odor threshold value (OTV) is the minimal concentration detectable by the human nose.
• Examples of substances with strong odors are Grapefruit mercaptan and Trimethylamine.
• Two major types of flavor thresholds are absolute and difference thresholds.
• Concentration above food depends on solubility and vapor pressure.

Variability in Odor Detection

• No significant differences in odor detection thresholds between genders or pregnant and non-pregnant individuals.
• Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis may have higher olfactory thresholds.
• Olfactory function is more impaired in primary progressive MS patients.

Species Variability in Odor Detection

• Some species can detect odors that others cannot.
• Dogs and rodents are believed to have superior smell, but a study suggests consistency in olfactory neurons across mammals.

Related Concepts

• Olfactometer and taste detection threshold are related concepts to odor detection thresholds.

Odor detection threshold Data Sources