ASTM International Committee E18 on Sensory Evaluation has been working on developing a series of widely used, fundamental discrimination tests into ASTM International standards. Some of these tests that are now approved standards include E2263, Standard Test Method for Paired Preference Test, E 2139, Test Method for Same-Different Test, and E 1885, Test Method for Sensory Analysis-Triangle Test. Each of these standards represents different ways to determine if there are perceptible differences between two products. These standards are under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E18.04, which is now developing another basic discrimination test into a proposed new standard, WK12891, Test Method for Sensory Analysis Duo-Trio Test.
 
Thomas Carr, Carr Consulting, notes that the proposed duo-trio test can be used to determine if a perceptible difference results from changes in processing, formulation, ingredient sourcing or other common product-maintenance or productivity enhancements. In addition, WK12891 will be useful in studying the relative acuity of individuals. “It can be used to qualify assessors for participation on sensory evaluation panels and it can be used to measure threshold concentrations of compounds in real products or test matrices,” Carr says.
 
According to Carr, the eventual approval of WK12891 will ensure that the duo-trio test is applied uniformly in practice. “Researchers in industry, government and academia will all be able to make use of this proposed standard. Independent suppliers of sensory evaluation services will also use WK12891 to demonstrate that they use industry-standard methods in their tests,” says Carr.
 
Subcommittee E18.04 welcomes input into the continuing development of WK12891 and on revisions to its current approved standards. “The participating team should possess a balance of applied experience and an understanding of the underlying psychometric theory to ensure that the standards on basic methods can deliver what they are intended to in a reliable and valid way while maintaining resources within reasonable limits,” says Carr.

For further technical information, contact Thomas Carr, Carr Consulting, Wilmette, Ill. (phone: 847/853-9140; tom.carr@carrconsulting.net). Committee E18 meets April 17-19, 2007, during the April Committee Week in Norfolk, Va. For membership or meeting information, contact Scott Orthey, manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9730; sorthey@astm.org).

Release #7561