From a consumer-oriented standpoint the measurement of few phys-
ical attributes may be not sufficient to estimate the acceptance of the
product. Therefore sensory acceptance tests with 100 selected, but un-
trained housewives were conducted. The raw carrots were presented in
randomized order and monadically. The consumers marked their degree
of acceptance on an unstructured line scale. The liking of the “first im-
pression” was influenced by and correlated with the liking of the shape
and color, whereas the “overall liking” reflected, in addition, the liking
of mouthfeel, taste and flavor properties.
A significant increase of the consumer acceptance values occurred
when nitrogen fertilizer was supplied (Figure 15.3). Differences between
the three levels of fertilization were not significant for “overall liking,”
but for “first impression.” The maximum value of “overall liking” was
reached at the 40 kg N/ha level, the maximum value for the liking of
the “first impression” was reached at the 120 kg N/ha level, significantly
different from the other levels. From this consumer standpoint the opti-
mal internal and external quality could be reached within the 40 and the
120 kg N/ha fertilization. On a long-term scale this would not conflict
290 INTEGRATING PROBLEM-ORIENTED RESEARCH
FIGURE 15.3Relative yield of carrots (‘Nanthya F1’) and consumer acceptance val-
ues of “first impression” and “overall liking” as dependent on nitrogen fertilization.