Spaceward senses: examining retronasal aroma and mouthfeel perception in simulated space-microgravity environments

It has been reported that conditions in space missions alter the taste and perception of orthonasal aroma by astronauts. However, there is limited knowledge of the effects of space environments associated with the sensory perception of mouthfeel and retronasal aromas. This research aimed to study alterations in retronasal aromas and mouthfeel under an immersive space-simulated environment with a simulated microgravity seating position. A total of 12 well-trained panelists evaluated the intensity of different samples for retronasal aromas and mouthfeel using a neutral environment and a space-simulated environment. Non-invasive facial biometrics were also analyzed from participants' videos using the BioSensory© application. According to the results, in the space-simulated environment the retronasal aroma intensity was perceived to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the neutral environment. The latter was also shown in the multivariate data analysis developed using self-reported and subconscious biometric variables. Regarding mouthfeel perception, the multivariate analysis showed that the intensity of mouthfeel samples was higher in the space-simulated environment. This study contributes to understanding the sensory requirements in space-simulated conditions to optimize and develop specialized food and beverages for long-term space exploration missions.