Effect of a health claim on consumer acceptance of milk-based dessert containing omega-3

This study was to evaluate the influence of information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits in the acceptance of dairy dessert. The hedonic thresholds methodology was applied in two trials: blind and open-label. In the blind trial, no information was provided to consumers regarding the formulation of the flans. In the open-label trial, consumers received the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. The value of compromised acceptance threshold (CAT) was not influenced by the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. However, there was a high increase in the value of hedonic rejection threshold (HRT) when the consumers were informed of the benefits of omega-3, and it was possible to increase the addition of the compound in the flans by up to 21.03% without causing product rejection, confirming the positive effect of information on health benefits in accptance.

3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine is neutrally perceived by consumers at usual concentrations in French Sauvignon and Fer wines from the Gaillac area

3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) is a grape-derived aroma compound responsible for the bell pepper character of wine. It is still unclear whether this molecule is always negatively perceived by consumers. The objective of this study was to establish a consumer rejection threshold (CRT) for IBMP in French white and red wines from the Gaillac area made from Sauvignon and Fer respectively.The best estimate thresholds (BET) were determined by carrying out three-alternative forced choice (3-AFC) tests: 5.5 ng/L for Sauvignon and 16.8 ng/L for Fer. For the estimation of the CRT, consumers (n = 48) received pairs of samples consisting of a base wine and a base wine spiked with an ascending concentration of IBMP. They were asked to indicate which sample they preferred, and the CRT was calculated as the concentration for which the spiked sample was significantly rejected. CRTs were determined at 50 ng/L and 30 ng/L for Sauvignon and Fer respectively.Our findings indicate that IBMP is more acceptable in white wine than in red wine. As IBMP concentrations reported in the literature for Sauvignon and Fer are generally below CRT concentrations, IBMP appears to be neutrally perceived by consumers at usual concentrations in wines from Gaillac made from these two cultivars.Our findings tend to contradict the belief in the wine industry that consumers systematically reject ‘vegetative’ styles of wines, and do not encourage local winegrowers and winemakers to necessarily implement viticultural or enological practices to minimise IBMP concentrations in wine.

Exploring New and Modified Rejection-Type Thresholds Using Cricket Snack Crackers

Recently, sensory threshold concepts have been expanded to include affective perceptions of foods and beverages, especially measures of product rejection; however, each threshold interpretation depends largely on the methodology employed. By substituting cricket powder for whole-wheat flour in snack crackers (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%), we proposed modifications to two existing threshold methodologies: a modified consumer rejection threshold (M-CRT) using a 2-alternative choice (2-AC) preference test with “no preference” option; and a modified hedonic rejection threshold (M-HRT) based on less-than-neutral hedonic scores according to a one-sample t-test. We also proposed two new concepts: a rejection tolerance threshold (RTT) and an associated rejection range (RR), based on a binomial acceptability question and a probit regression model. These new methods provide more realistic interpretations of rejection-type thresholds based on user-defined allowable rejection levels, or “rejection tolerance” (for RTT), and a model-derived stimulus range (RR) to capture the rejection level of interest while providing flexibility for product formulation. All thresholds were investigated separately for color, flavor, texture and overall perception, elucidating differential sensorial effects of our novel ingredient on the food matrix. We suggest that conducting all demonstrated techniques in a single testing session gives a more expansive view of rejection thresholds while requiring minimal additional resources.

1,1,6-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) Sensory Thresholds in Riesling Wine

1,1,6-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) is an aroma compound responsible for the kerosene/petrol notes in Riesling wines. In the current article, three sensory thresholds for TDN were determined in young Riesling wine: detection threshold (about 4 µg/L), recognition threshold (10–12 µg/L), and rejection threshold (71–82 µg/L). It was demonstrated that an elevated content of free SO2 in wine may have a certain masking effect on the TDN aroma perception. In addition, the influence of wine serving temperature on the recognition of kerosene/petrol notes was studied. It was found, that a lower wine serving temperature (about 11 °C) facilitated identification of the TDN aroma compared to the same wine samples at room temperature.

Revisiting image theory: decision styles, temptations and image theory’s compatibility test

This thesis project revisits the compatibility test, Image Theory's screening process to form decision choice sets, and considers its elements and mechanisms in the light of three aspects: first, it investigates how the affect heuristic influences the compatibility screening. In this context, the claim of earlier research that only criteria violations are considered during the option screening process is reconsidered; second, a structural model is evaluated establishing links between a decision-maker's decision styles and the variables defining the compatibility test; and third, a neural network is created and tested to predict even irrational choice of decision-makers for a specific screening situation and based on their compatibility test in- and outputs. 741 participants of two populations were administered three online questionnaires to collect required data. 40 questionnaire items have been used to identify the participants decision styles. The participants were tasked to select companies as potential acquisition targets and, thus, performed a compatibility test based on criteria and their importance weights provided by the researcher. Companies met and failed to meet the criteria to differing extent. Two temptation alternatives that outperformed all other companies in the most important criteria multiple times and failed to meet all others were administered to the participants. Based on what companies were selected, the participants rejection threshold and their inconsistent choices were determined. The research provides evidence that the claim of earlier research that Image Theory's compatibility screening process relies only on criteria violations is untenable. Further, a structural equation model was confirmed establishing links between participants' decision styles and the variables defining their compatibility screenings. Eventually, a neural network was generated, trained and tested that correctly predicted with close to 90% reliability a participant's choices, even the objectively irrational ones. It is recommended that future research further develops the idea of neural networks mimicking human decision behaviour.

To Evaluate or Not to Evaluate?

Using information processing theory (IPT) as the theoretical lens and incorporating various literatures following the IPT lens (e.g., dual-threshold in signal detection), this article develops a two-process model of innovation adoption decision making, accounting for the possibility for potential adopters (at different levels) to make adoption decisions (adopt, do not adopt) with or without an intensive evaluation of the innovation. Specifically, this article proposes that there is an attention process prior to the extensively investigated intensive evaluation process; potential adopters may make adoption decisions (adopt, do not adopt) at the end of the attention process or defer making decisions until after an intensive evaluation is conducted. The impacts of innovation attributes on various influence targets (i.e., relative advantage belief strength, adoption threshold and rejection threshold) during the less examined attention process are also discussed. This article may contribute to the innovation adoption literature and provide practical implications for innovation proponents/detractors regarding how to craft sensegiving messages influencing potential adopters' decision making.