Implication of different sensory methodologies and failure criteria on the shelf-life of a pumpkin-orange cake

This work was aimed to study the implication of different sensory methodologies (an analytical method by selected assessors, and two hedonic methods: Acceptability limit and Survival analysis), for determining the shelf-life of a pumpkin-orange cake. Hedonic methods were performed by two groups of consumers: group A performed acceptability test first, and then survival analysis, for the group B the order was reversed. Indeed, the survival analysis was also assessed by using a staggered design and by involving other consumers. By considering the results of both analytical method and hedonic method performed by group A, the estimated shelf-life was about 15 days, meanwhile, it ranged from 30 to 40 days, based on the results of hedonic methods performed by group B of consumers and the results of survival analysis performed by using the staggered design. Failure criteria based on consumer acceptability must therefore be accurately chosen to avoid shelf-life estimation that does not reflect consumer behavior. The combination of two sensory methodologies could be a fast way to get more information regarding both the acceptability and the reason why the consumers will accept or reject the product.