Odor thresholds of the C(19)-Δ(16)-steroids responsible for boar odor in pork

Odor thresholds for each of the five C(19)-Δ(16)-steroids believed to contribute to boar odor in pork were determined using duo-trio test methodology. Threshold values for 5,16-androstadien-3β-ol (I) and 4,16-androstadien-3-one (II) were approximately 10 μg/g, whereas those for 5α-androst-16-en-3-one (III), 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (IV) and 5α-androst-16-en-3β-ol (V) were about 1 μg/g. Statistical comparisons of the mean threshold values for each of these compounds showed no difference (P < 0·05) among the mean thresholds of III, IV and V or between compounds I and II. The mean thresholds of compounds I and II were different (P < 0·05) from those of compounds III, IV and V. Triangle test methodology was employed to measure the ability of trained panelists to differentiate the odors of each of these five compounds either singly or in all combinations. Results showed that panelists were able to differentiate (P < 0·05) between the odors of the C(19)-Δ(16)-steroids possessing ketone groups (II and III) and those containing alcohol groups (I, IV and V). Panelists were not able, however, to differentiate (P < 0·05) between the odors of the three alcoholic steroids (I, IV and V), nor were they able to differentiate between the odors of the two ketonic steroids (II and III).