Interaction of Skatole and Androstenone in the Olfactory Perception of Boar Taint

This study analyzed odor-odor interactions of two malodorous volatile substances, androstenone and skatole, that may accumulate in fat and meat of uncastrated male (boar) pigs. Therefore, fat samples were collected from 1000+ entire male pig carcasses for sensory evaluation and quantification of boar taint compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Each sample was sniffed by 10 trained assessors, resulting in 11 000+ individual ratings, which were subjected to statistical analysis. Pearson correlations of chemical traits and sensory traits (panel average) were higher for skatole [r(1029) = 0.59; p < 0.001] than for androstenone [r(1029) = 0.44; p < 0.001]. Linear terms of androstenone and skatole as well as their interaction significantly (p < 0.05) contributed to perception of deviant smell (R(2) = 0.43). Standardized regression coefficients illustrate the higher importance of skatole (β = 0.68) than androstenone (β = 0.39). Interindividual differences in the responses of assessors to androstenone and skatole are confirmed. A new curved approach is suggested because it better accounts for the interaction of androstenone and skatole than the "safe box" approach. On the basis of these data, sorting strategies using instrumental measurements are discussed. An automated detection based on only skatole measurements is recommended because its performance is only slightly inferior to a sorting based on both androstenone and skatole. Sorting thresholds need to be calibrated against consumer acceptance though.