New technique on analyzing liquid food in sensory (emotion response) level

A protocol for capturing and statistically analyzing emotional response of a population to beverages and liquefied foods in a sensory evaluation laboratory using automated facial expression analysis software is established by Courtney Crist (graduate of Water INTERface IGEP), and recently be published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments, JoVE. This methodology provides a new way for beverage industry to evaluate consumers’ preference on beverage products directly through their subconsciousness emotional response. It may also serve as a new methods for water quality detection in sensory level.

The abstract of this research article* is shown below:

“We demonstrate a method for capturing emotional response to beverages and liquefied foods in a sensory evaluation laboratory using automated facial expression analysis (AFEA) software. Additionally, we demonstrate a method for extracting relevant emotional data output and plotting the emotional response of a population over a specified time frame. By time pairing each participant’s treatment response to a control stimulus (baseline), the overall emotional response over time and across multiple participants can be quantified. AFEA is a prospective analytical tool for assessing unbiased response to food and beverages. At present, most research has mainly focused on beverages. Methodologies and analyses have not yet been standardized for the application of AFEA to beverages and foods; however, a consistent standard methodology is needed. Optimizing video capture procedures and resulting video quality aids in a successful collection of emotional response to foods. Furthermore, the methodology of data analysis is novel for extracting the pertinent data relevant to the emotional response. The combinations of video capture optimization and data analysis will aid in standardizing the protocol for automated facial expression analysis and interpretation of emotional response data.”

*Crist, C. A., Duncan, S. E., Gallagher, D. L. Protocol for Data Collection and Analysis Applied to Automated Facial Expression Analysis Technology and Temporal Analysis for Sensory Evaluation. J. Vis. Exp. (114), e54046, doi:10.3791/54046 (2016).