Flavor-Profile Analysis: An Objective Sensory Technique for the Identification and Treatment of Off-Flavors in Drinking Water

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart W. Krasner
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Sensory Data ◽  
Flavor Intensity ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Trained Panel ◽  
Off Flavors ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

Flavor-profile analysis (FPA) is a sensory method utilizing a trained panel of four to six individuals. Reference materials are used to establish a common vocabulary for different odors found in drinking water. Known quantities of different taste- and odor-causing chemicals are evaluated to calibrate the panel on a consistent intensity scale. Each identifiable descriptor is assigned its own intensity. This method has been successfully applied in the analysis of musty-smelling compounds, e.g., 2-methylisoborneol (MIB). MIB samples and standards from 1 to 80 ng/l have been shown to observe the WeberFechner law (i.e., a plot of flavor intensity versus logarithm of concentration of MIB yielded a straight line). FPA has also been used to handle fishy/swampy odor problems. In many instances, specific causative organic compounds were not identified; however, FPA evaluations of water using different free-chlorine dosages and contact times made possible immediate resolution of these odor problems. FPA has yielded reproducible sensory data that have been useful in better understanding and handling off-flavors in drinking water.

Flavor Profile Analysis and GC/MS Detection of Phenolic Iodinated Disenfection Byproducts in Drinking Water for the USA Space Program

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Dietrich ◽  
Susan Mirlohi ◽  
Willian F. DaCosta ◽  
Jennifer Peters Dodd ◽  
Richard Sauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Major Product ◽  
Space Program ◽  
Odor Threshold ◽  
Odor Evaluation ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

Reactions of iodine and phenol were investigated to determine which iodophenols were produced and their odor properties. The research was performed in support of the USA space program that applies iodine to disinfect potable water for spacecraft use. Higher concentrations (50 mg/l) and higher iodine:phenol (e.g. 10:1) ratios resulted in the formation of greater iodophenol concentrations and higher substituted iodophenols. The reactions were fast and nearly complete within 1 hour. For pH 5.5 and 8 and all iodine:phenol ratios, formation of monosubstituted compounds indicated that 2-iodophenol was favored over 4-iodophenol. At the intermediate iodine:phenol ratios of 1:1 and 2:1, substantial amounts of the diiophenols formed and persisted for up to 32 days. The diiodophenols were not detected at iodine:phenol ratios of 0.2:1 and 10:1. The compound 2,4,6-triiodophenol was the major product formed at a 10:1 iodine:phenol ratio and the formation of this trisubstituted phenol appeared nearly complete. Odor evaluation indicated that the iodophenols have much lower odor threshold concentrations (OTC) than phenol. The 2- and 4- iodophenol had OTC values of ≅ 1 and 500 μg/l, respectively, with odors described as “medicinal, phenol, chemical”.

Sensory evaluation of the odors produced during bromophenol formation using a multi-level statistical model

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 241-248
Author(s):  
H. Al-Samarrai ◽  
J. Matud ◽  
K. Wiesenthal ◽  
P. Atiyah ◽  
A. Bruchet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
Products Of Reaction ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

In response to reports of medicinal taste and odor problems in suburban Paris, a lab scale study was conducted to investigate the contribution of different water quality parameters - pH, phenol, bromide, chlorine, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels - on bromophenol medicinal odor formation using the Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) method. A study of six parameters at 2 levels (64 experiments) analyzed by the FPA method suggests that chlorine at high concentration is more important as a controlling agent than phenol under similar conditions and the ratio of HOBr:Phenol and the time for reaction will control subsequent brominated products of reaction. Results from a three-level statistical model indicate that high pH was associated with lower odor intensities, whereas high levels of chlorine, phenol and temperature were associated with high odor intensities. Potential worst case scenarios of water quality conditions were determined for evaluation by chemical identification and kinetics.

Oxidation of odorous and nonodorous algal metabolites by permanganate, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Dietrich ◽  
R. C. Hoehn ◽  
L. C. Dufresne ◽  
L. W. Buffin ◽  
D. M. C. Rashash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Chlorine Dioxide ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Phenethyl Alcohol ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Palmitic Acids ◽  
Flavor Profile

The six algal metabolites, at concentrations of 20-225 μg/l, were oxidized with potassium permanganate, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide at doses of 0.25-3 mg/l. Flavor profile analysis (FPA) was used to determine the odors of the solutions before and after oxidation. Linoleic and palmitic acids, which are odorless compounds, were oxidized to odorous products by all three oxidants. The odor intensity of β-cyclocitral (grape, sweet tobacco) and phenethyl alcohol (rose, floral) was only slightly decreased by any of the oxidants. Oxidation by permanganate or chlorine either eliminated or greatly reduced the odors associated with linolenic acid (watermelon) and 2t,6c-nonadienal (cucumber); chlorine dioxide was ineffective at reducing the cucumber odor of 2t,6c-nonadienal. Oxidation, at doses typically applied for drinking water treatment, can result in the destruction of certain algae-related odors but in the formation of other odors.

The Environmental Fate and Mechanism of Formation of 2-Ethyl-5,5′-Dimethyl-1,3-Dioxane (2EDD) – a Malodorous Contaminant in Drinking Water

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Schweitzer ◽  
J. Noblet ◽  
Q. Ye ◽  
E. Ruth ◽  
I. H. Suffet
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Fate ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Threshold Concentration ◽  
Odor Threshold ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Water Taste ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis

A malodorous chemical, 2-ethyl-5,5′-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane (2EDD) created a drinking water taste and odor episode in Pennsylvania (USA) during 1992. The odor episode occurred as the result of a reaction between propionaldehyde and neopentyl glycol in the waste tank of a resin manufacturer. Samples of this waste water were extracted and analyzed. An in situ aqueous preparation of 2EDD was completed to demonstrate that 2EDD could have formed under the conditions found in the waste water. The stability (fate) of 2EDD was studied at different aqueous pHs (pH3, 5, 7, and 9). Some hydrolysis of 2EDD was found at pHs<7 after one week, but 2EDD appeared to be stable at pH 9. The odor characteristics and odor threshold of 2EDD were determined by the method of flavor profile analysis. The odor threshold concentration of 2EDD was found to be between 5 and 10 ng/l and was described as having a sweet, tutti fruitti odor (near the odor threshold concentration) and a burnt, sickening sweet odor at higher concentrations. This study also discovered that slight antagonism in chloraminated drinking water may occur at or near the threshold odor level of 2EDD.

Distribution-Generated Taste-and-Odor Phenomena

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 129-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djanette Khiari ◽  
Auguste Bruchet ◽  
Thomas Gittelman ◽  
Lleonard Matia ◽  
Sylvia Barrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
Alkyl Benzenes ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

The objectives of this study were to investigate various distribution conditions that directly affect the production of tastes and odors, identify the chemical causes, and develop guidelines to help water utilities solve or prevent these types of problems. This paper presents four case studies of taste-and-odor problems generated in distribution systems. Two types of problems will be presented, (1) problems that occur in association with pipe or reservoir lining material leaching into the water and (2) problems that are caused by a continuation of chemical reactions in the water within the distribution system. The sensory method used was flavor profile analysis (FPA) and the chemical methods were closed loop stripping analysis (CLSA) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Bromophenols and bromodichloroiodomethanes were found to be the cause of the medicinal odors, while alkyl benzenes and naphthalene were found to be associated with the oil-base paint type of odors.

Flavor Profile Analysis: Taste and Odor Control of the Future

1986 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen H.M. Bartels ◽  
Gary A. Burlingame ◽  
I.H. Mel Suffet
Keyword(s):  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Odor Control ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
The Future ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

The Drinking Water Taste and Odor Wheel for the Millennium: Beyond Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. H. (Mel) Suffet ◽  
Djanette Khiari ◽  
Auguste Bruchet
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
Water Taste ◽  
Mouth Feel ◽  
New Compounds ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

The “Taste and Odor Wheel” developed over the last 15 years has been updated to include new compounds identified in the eight classes of odorants, four tastes, and one mouth feel/nose feel category. Over the last 10 years, other types of odors have been identified, in addition to chlorinous and ozonous odors of disinfectants, the earthy compound geosmin, and the musty compound 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB). Sophisticated instrumental analysis, e.g., gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and sensory analysis, e.g., flavor-profile analysis (FPA), have been successfully combined with sensory GC to identify various odorants.

Effects of chlorine and chloramines on earthy and musty odors in drinking water

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Oestman ◽  
L. Schweitzer ◽  
P. Tomboulian ◽  
A. Corado ◽  
I.H. Suffet
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
Test Statistics ◽  
Comparison Test ◽  
Water Treatment Plants ◽  
The Us ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile ◽  
Intensity Of Response

Water treatment plants in the US may operate under the assumption that chlorine masks earthy and musty odors from geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in drinking water. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of chlorine and chloramines on geosmin and MIB by two sensory analysis approaches - a statistical Pairwise Comparison Test, and Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA). All Pairwise Ranking test statistics were significant (p<0.05); we conclude that panelists can differentiate minor differences in geosmin and MIB concentrations in a Pairwise Comparison Test even in the presence of chlorine. FPA appeared to be more challenging in discerning subtle differences in concentrations of geosmin or MIB than did the Pairwise Comparison Test, and the presence of chlorine (0.5-20 mg/L) and chloramines (3-24 mg/L) confused the panelists (i.e showed a larger error in the intensity of response reported by the panel), but did not necessarily mask geosmin or MIB.

Exposure Assessment of Taste and Odor Standards Used in the Method of Flavor Profile Analysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 209-215
Author(s):  
Linda Schweitzer ◽  
I. H. (Mel) Suffet
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Standard Method ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Threshold Limit Values ◽  
Taste And Odor ◽  
Flavor Profile Analysis ◽  
Flavor Profile

Information on the toxicity of individual chemicals that have been used as known or representative odor standards in the method of Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) was compiled for an exposure assessment. A full risk assessment was not possible since unit risk values for most of these chemicals do not exist. This study provides a recommendation as to what chemicals can be safely used as known and representative taste and odor standards for the next modification of the Flavor Profile Analysis Standard Method 2170. Excluding any potential odor standard listed as possible or probable carcinogens, there would be no known risk to FPA panelists being exposed to the selected odor reference chemicals at the concentrations used in FPA. Also, the concentrations which panelists are exposed to during an FPA (20 minutes per chemical) are lower than the legal threshold limit values for 8 hour occupational exposures. However, many of the odor reference chemicals have yet to be evaluated for their carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic endpoints. Recommendations are made as to which chemicals should be avoided.

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