Relationships between sensory attributes and the volatile compounds, non-volatile and gross compositional constituents of six blue-type cheeses

Relationships between odour and flavour attributes of six blue-type cheeses and their volatile compounds, free amino acids (FAA), free fatty acids (FFA) and gross compositional constituents were determined. Relationships were also determined between texture attributes and gross compositional constituents. Fifteen assessors described the odour, flavour, appearance and texture profile of cheeses. Volatile compounds were isolated using a model-mouth apparatus. FAA, FFA and gross compositional constituents were determined using standard methods. Using Partial Least Squares Regression two odour and five flavour attributes were found to correlate with subsets of volatile compounds, FAA, FFA and gross compositional constituents. For example, "mouldy" flavour was positively correlated with the concentrations of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen and 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, 2-octanone and 2-nonanone. Three texture attributes were found to correlate with subsets of gross compositional constituents. For example, "crumbly" texture was positively correlated with concentration of fat and protein and negatively correlated with levels of moisture in the non-fat substance and moisture.