Olfactometer
Encyclopedia
An olfactometer is an instrument typically used to detect and measure ambient odor
dilution. Olfactometers are used in conjunction with human subjects in laboratory settings, most often in market research
, to quantify and qualify human olfaction
. Olfactometers are used to gauge the odor detection threshold
of substances. To measure intensity, olfactometers introduce an odorous gas as a baseline against which other odors are compared.
Many scientist use the term "olfactometer" to refer to a device used to study insect behavior in presence of an olfactory stimulus. It consists of a tube with a bifurcation (with "T" or "Y" shape) where an insect walks and decides between two choices, usually clean air versus air carrying an odor. This is why this device is also called dual choice olfactometer.
Alternatively, an olfactometer is a device used for producing aromas in a precise and controlled manner.
These analyses are often used in site diagnostics (multiple odor sources) performed with the goal of establishing odor management plans.
Odor
An odor or odour is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors...
dilution. Olfactometers are used in conjunction with human subjects in laboratory settings, most often in market research
Market research
Market research is any organized effort to gather information about markets or customers. It is a very important component of business strategy...
, to quantify and qualify human olfaction
Olfaction
Olfaction is the sense of smell. This sense is mediated by specialized sensory cells of the nasal cavity of vertebrates, and, by analogy, sensory cells of the antennae of invertebrates...
. Olfactometers are used to gauge the odor detection threshold
Odor detection threshold
The odor detection threshold is the lowest concentration of a certain odor compound that is perceivable by the human sense of smell. The thresholds of a chemical compound is determined in part by its shape, polarity, partial charges and molecular mass...
of substances. To measure intensity, olfactometers introduce an odorous gas as a baseline against which other odors are compared.
Many scientist use the term "olfactometer" to refer to a device used to study insect behavior in presence of an olfactory stimulus. It consists of a tube with a bifurcation (with "T" or "Y" shape) where an insect walks and decides between two choices, usually clean air versus air carrying an odor. This is why this device is also called dual choice olfactometer.
Alternatively, an olfactometer is a device used for producing aromas in a precise and controlled manner.
Description
A flow-olfactometer is a complex instrument for creation of well defined, reproducible smell or pain stimuli in the nose without tactile or thermal stimulation. Stimulus rise time is fast enough to allow for recording of Olfactory Evoked Potentials (OEPs).How a flow-olfactometer works
A flow-olfactometer produces a constant heated and humidified flow of pure air. This air flow runs continuously to the subjects nose. For the length of the stimulus pulse the continuous air flow is replaced by a bloc of odorized air.Dynamic Dilution Olfactometer
The new generations of dynamic dilution olfactometers quantify odors using a panel and can allow different complementary techniques:- odor concentration and odor threshold determination
- odor suprathreshold determination with comparison to a reference gas
- hedonic scale assessment to determine the degree of appreciation
- evaluation of the relative intensity of odors
- allow training and automatic evaluation of expert panels
These analyses are often used in site diagnostics (multiple odor sources) performed with the goal of establishing odor management plans.