The Single Interval Adjustment Matrix (Siam) Yes-No Task Applied to the Measurement of Sucrose Thresholds

Abstract

A technique previously unreported in the food sciences literature, the Single-Interval Adjustment Matrix (SIAM) Yes-No task, works by controlling the taster's response criterion, with the goal of producing a bias-free estimate of the absolute threshold. Absolute thresholds were estimated for sucrose in aqueous solution using the SIAM Yes-No task. Obtained estimates were similar to those reported in the literature. These estimated threshold concentrations were then used with the same tasters in a two-alternative forced-choice task. The performance of the tasters was consistent with a 75% definition of threshold for this task. In terms of speed, the SIAM Yes-No task performed well. These results suggest that the SIAM Yes-No task is a useful choice in the measurement of absolute thresholds for gustatory stimuli. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRecipe changes or ingredient substitutions introduce challenges for food and beverage manufacturers. Having made changes, it is crucial that sensory and affective tests be undertaken to ensure the product remains in favor with consumers. In regards to sensory testing a common measure employed by food scientists is the absolute threshold. However, given the difficulties inherent in sensory testing there is a need for sensory methods that minimize stimulus presentations while maintaining measurement validity. The SIAM Yes-No task, a technique hitherto unreported in the sensory sciences literature, 3 Corresponding Journal of Sensory Studies 25 (2010) 940-955.

The single interval adjustment matrix (SIAM) yes–no task: an empirical assessment using auditory and gustatory stimuli

“…On average, twice as many turnarounds were obtained using the SIAM YN than using the 2AFC task, and with more turnarounds resulting in less measurement error, this is a positive finding for the SIAM YN task. Hautus et al (2010), also measuring sucrose thresholds with the SIAM YN task, reported an average of 8.5 turnarounds for 30 trials across three blocks and 15 participants, and our finding of an average of 19.4 turnarounds across 60 trials is comparable.…”

“…Kunka, Doty, and Settle (1981), using a two-down one-up 2AFC adaptive procedure, reported mean sucrose thresholds of −2.8 log M, while Shepherd, Quek and Pathirana (2008) reported thresholds estimated in professionally designed sensory booths (−2.8 log M) and standard laboratory tables (−2.39 log M). Fukunaga, Uematsu, and Sugimoto (2005), using Asian tasters, obtained a mean threshold of −1.77 log M. Hautus et al (2010), in an unrelated experiment, reported sucrose thresholds of −2.16 log M for the SIAM YN task, this being the first demonstration of the SIAM procedure in the gustatory modality. Thus, the SIAM YN data we report here demonstrate convergent validity with preexisting threshold measures.…”

“…We note that, though Kaernbach's (1990b) SIAM YN task is endowed with a strong theoretical backbone, it still requires further empirical validation, especially since Kaernbach's (1990b) own assessment utilised only 4 participants in one sensory context, audition. Hautus, Stocks, and Shepherd (2010) employed the SIAM YN task in the gustatory context (sucrose detection) but didn't compare the task against other adaptive procedures. In this article, we report a set of sterner tests designed to assess the veracity of the SIAM approach in the auditory (Exp.…”

Rapid Estimation of Gustatory Sensitivity Thresholds with SIAM and QUEST

“…While SIAM thresholds obtained from sessions of 60 trials were comparable to those from a 2-IFC task (Shepherd et al, 2011), significant differences were observed between SIAM and 2-IFC in sessions with only 30 SIAM trials (Hautus et al, 2010). In the latter case, some participants showed large variability across sessions.…”

Taste Detection and Recognition Thresholds of The Modified Monellin Sweetener: MNEI

“…Recently, a new method called single interval adjustment matrix (SIAM) yes–no task, was used in order to measure sucrose thresholds, with good results (Hautus et al . ). Indeed, in our study, a modified version of the difference from the reference method was used and it was suitable to determine DT and RT of MNEI.…”