Variability of odour thresholds for some compounds in alcoholic beverages

In a study of the distribution of sources of variation in the interpretation of odour‐threshold judgements, 16 aroma compounds in alcoholic beverages were examined by variance analysis and factor analysis at concentration levels corresponding to positive responses amounting to 50% and 75%. For the determination of threshold values, the concentration level corresponding to 50% positive responses was observed to be the better of these two alternatives from the aspect of statistical points and psychophysical responses. The detection threshold values in 9.45 % (by wt.) alcohol‐water solution are mainly dependent upon the differences between the substances themselves, and the variation between subjects remains insignificant. Nevertheless, the odour‐stimulating process caused by a compound can vary, despite the responses for all the groups of compounds being considered the same in regard to these threshold values.