ABSTRACT
The odor character of a consumer product contributes to its uniqueness and can be a signal of product efficacy. This odor impression is important during use of the product, and for providing pleasant long-lasting aromas to clothes, in the case of a fabric detergent or softener, or to the home with an all-purpose cleaner. It is necessary to supplement subjective consumer or panel evaluations with analytical methods to understand the ‘‘performance’’ of fragrance/flavor materials from these products. In addition, any distortion of the intended odor can leave a negative impression with the consumer. Off-odors can occur because of quality issues with the fragrance or its stability in the base and/or packaging. Malodors can come from base materials or develop during processing. All these problems have been addressed by various headspace techniques, including static and dynamic headspace gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and, more recently, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) headspace coupled with chromatography. Imaginative sampling techniques are needed to obtain fragrance/flavor profiles from the product in use where it is necessary to sample from the mouth and skin for personal care applications and from fabric and hard surfaces. In this chapter, applications will be described that show how SPME analysis can be utilized to address both product and personal malodor and fragrance/flavor performance issues.
