Marin, A.B., Acree, T.E. and Barnard, J. 1989.
A comparison of detection thresholds determined by charm analysis and sensory evaluation.
Eleventh Annual Meeting Of The Association For Chemoreception Sciences, Sarasota, Florida, Usa, April 14(5):
In a previous study, odor detection thresholds of standard aroma compounds were determined by a bioassay called charm analysis. Thresholds for nine individuals from 16 to 19 years of age were determined using both charm analysis and a semi-ascending paired difference test. Odor detection thresholds of six standard aroma compounds determined by charm analysis, averaged over subjects in this study, were the same as those reported in the previous study. The charm threshold for one of these compounds, 1,8-cineole, was related to the smell threshold for 1,8-cineole added to Concord grape juice. There was no difference found between odor and taste thresholds for cineole in the grape juice. However, the group threshold for pure cineole as determined by charm analysis at 95% confidence was 4-24ng/stimulus or 4-24ug/ml of extract while the group threshold for cineole in grape juice was 20-98ug/ml. Therfore, charm analysis detects stimuli when they are above threshold as determined by sensory difference tests, and supports the use of charm analysis to study odor-relevant compounds in natural products.