Olfactometer

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.^[1] 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. ^[2][3]

Alternatively, an olfactometer is a device used for producing aromas in a precise and controlled manner.

Flow-olfactometer

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.

See also

• Electronic nose
• Olfaction
• Electrogustometry
• Machine olfaction

References

1. ^ Electronic noses, GC/MS systems, and human sensory panels provide varied solutions for product-odor concerns
2. ^ Beavers JB, McGovern TP and Adler VE (1982) Diaprepes abbreviatus: Laboratory and field behavioral and attractancy studies. Environ Entomol 11:436-439
3. ^ Otálora-Luna F, Hammock J, Alessandro RT, Lapointe SL, and Dickens JC (2009) Discovery and characterization of chemical signals for citrus root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus. Arthropod-Plant Interact. DOI 10.1007/s11829-009-9058-7.

This standards- or measurement-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: G protein coupled receptors Sensory receptors Olfaction Neurophysiology Integral membrane proteins Protein families Standards and measurement stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая? Olešník Olfactory memory Look at other dictionaries: olfactometer — [äl΄fak täm′ət ər] n. [ OLFACTORY + METER] a device for measuring the acuteness of the sense of smell olfactometric [äl΄faktō met′rik] adj. olfactometry n …   English World dictionary olfactometer — olfaktometras statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Uoslės jautrio kvapams matuoklis. atitikmenys: angl. olfactometer vok. Geruchmesser, m rus. ольфактометр, m pranc. olfactomètre, m …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas olfactometer — noun Date: 1889 an instrument for measuring the sensitivity of the sense of smell especially in regard to intensity, concentration, or quality of an odor …   New Collegiate Dictionary olfactometer — /ol fak tom i teuhr, ohl /, n. a device for estimating the keenness of the sense of smell. [1885 90; < L olfact(us) (see OLFACTION) + O + METER] * * * …   Universalium olfactometer — noun a) A device used to measure the acuity of a persons sense of smell b) A device used to measure odour intensity, and concentrations of volatile organic compounds, by means of their smell. See Also: ol …   Wiktionary olfactometer — A device for estimating the sensitivity to odorants. [L. olfactus, smell, + G. metron, measure] * * * ol·fac·tom·e·ter .äl .fak täm ət ər, .ōl n an instrument for measuring the sensitivity of the sense of smell in regard to intensity,… …   Medical dictionary olfactometer — instrument measuring intensity of odour of a substance Scientific Instruments …   Phrontistery dictionary olfactometer — [ˌɒlfak tɒmɪtə] noun an instrument for measuring the intensity of an odour or sensitivity to an odour. Derivatives olfactometry noun …   English new terms dictionary olfactometer — ol·fac·tom·e·ter …   English syllables olfactometer — ol•fac•tom•e•ter [[t]ˌɒl fækˈtɒm ɪ tər, ˌoʊl [/t]] n. med a device for estimating the keenness of the sense of smell • Etymology: 1889 …   From formal English to slang 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”