Odour activity value
Odour Activity Value (OAV) is a concept used in Food Science and Perfumery to quantify the sensory impact of individual aroma compounds in a mixture or product. It is calculated by dividing the concentration of a compound by its Odour Threshold.
Definition[edit | edit source]
The Odour Activity Value is defined as the ratio of the concentration of a compound to its odour threshold. The higher the OAV, the more a compound contributes to the overall aroma of a product. This concept is used in the field of Flavour Chemistry to identify key aroma compounds in foods and beverages, and in Perfumery to create balanced and appealing fragrances.
Calculation[edit | edit source]
The OAV is calculated using the following formula:
OAV = Concentration / Odour Threshold
The concentration is usually expressed in parts per million (ppm), and the odour threshold is the concentration at which the compound can be detected by the human nose. The odour threshold is specific to each compound and can vary depending on the individual and the matrix in which the compound is present.
Applications[edit | edit source]
The OAV is used in various fields, including:
- Food Science: In food science, the OAV is used to identify key aroma compounds in foods and beverages. By determining the OAV of each compound, scientists can understand which compounds contribute most to the overall aroma of a product.
- Perfumery: In perfumery, the OAV is used to create balanced and appealing fragrances. By calculating the OAV of each compound in a fragrance, perfumers can adjust the concentrations of each compound to achieve the desired aroma profile.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While the OAV is a useful tool, it has some limitations. It assumes that the perception of aroma compounds is additive, which is not always the case. Some compounds can have a synergistic effect, where the combined aroma is greater than the sum of the individual aromas. Additionally, the OAV does not take into account the effect of the matrix in which the compound is present, which can influence the perception of the aroma.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
