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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Extraction and Detection of Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol in Water and Fish using High-Capacity Sorptive Extraction Probes and GC-MS
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Extraction and Detection of Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol in Water and Fish using High-Capacity Sorptive Extraction Probes and GC-MS

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Developing hexanal as an odor reference standard for sensory analysis of drinking water.

Pinar Omür-Ozbek1, Andrea M Dietrich

  • 1Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, 482 Durham Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. pinar@vt.edu

Water Research
|February 19, 2008
PubMed
Summary

n-Hexanal is proposed as an odor reference standard for flavor profile analysis (FPA) training. This stable compound mimics grassy odors, follows the Weber-Fechner law, and is detectable by most people.

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Area of Science:

  • Sensory science
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Food science

Background:

  • Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) is a comprehensive method for assessing drinking water.
  • FPA requires a well-trained sensory panel.
  • Current FPA training lacks a standardized odor reference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate n-hexanal as a potential odor reference standard for FPA training.
  • To assess the stability and detectability of n-hexanal.
  • To determine if n-hexanal is suitable for defining odor intensities in FPA.

Main Methods:

  • Four distinct sensory panels were trained and tested using n-hexanal at concentrations ranging from 1-1000 µg/L over 14 months.
  • Weber-Fechner plots were used to analyze the relationship between concentration and perceived intensity.

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Extraction and Detection of Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol in Water and Fish using High-Capacity Sorptive Extraction Probes and GC-MS
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  • Analytical measurements assessed n-hexanal headspace stability under simulated FPA conditions.

    • Main Results:

    • n-Hexanal exhibited a linear and overlapping relationship across all panels, consistent with the Weber-Fechner law.
    • Headspace concentration of n-hexanal remained stable after 5 sniffs at 45°C and for up to 4 hours during simulated sessions.
    • Panelists found the grassy odor of n-hexanal pleasant, with no reported fatigue, and approximately 95% of the population could detect its odor.

    Conclusions:

    • n-Hexanal is chemically stable and follows the Weber-Fechner law, making it suitable for odor intensity calibration.
    • Its grassy aroma resembles odors found in drinking water and is well-tolerated by sensory panels.
    • n-Hexanal is proposed as a valuable odor reference standard for enhancing FPA training and ensuring consistent sensory evaluation of drinking water.