Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Identification of Olfactory Volatiles using Gas Chromatography-Multi-unit Recordings (GCMR) in the Insect Antennal Lobe
Published on: February 24, 2013
Evaluation of two gas chromatography-olfactometry methods: the detection frequency and perceived intensity method
1Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. s.vanruth@ucc.ie
Abstract:
Two gas chromatography-olfactometry methods were evaluated in terms of repeatability, range of sensitivity and discriminating properties. Six volatile flavour compounds at various concentration levels were analysed by a panel of eight assessors using the detection frequency method and the perceived intensity method. The coefficient of variance, averaged over the individual compounds for three replicate samples, was 16% for the detection frequency method and 28% for the intensity method. The average correlation coefficient of the individual compounds with concentration was 0.93 (range 0.88-0.99) for the intensities. They were slightly higher than those for the detection frequencies (0.91, range 0.81-0.97). The detection frequency method was more accurate in terms of repeatability, and the intensity method was more accurate with regard to discrimination between concentration levels. The range of sensitivity was similar for both methods.
Related Concept Videos
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction
In GC, a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.
Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors
A non-destructive detector allows a sample to be analyzed without altering or consuming it, meaning the sample can be collected after detection for further analysis. Examples include thermal conductivity detectors and...
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I
TCD is the earliest and most widely used detector that operates by measuring the changes in the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas. When a sample compound enters the detector,...
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II

