[ Descriptive Analysis ] A professional descriptive panel (12 members) has been on staff at the University of Arkansas since 1996. The panel has extensive experience in profiling food products for their appearance, aroma, flavor and texture. Examples of products the panel is most familiar with include: Dairy products including yogurt, cheese and dairy based drinks. Meat products including poultry and beef, further processed and not. Fruits and vegetables, including green and baked beans, and peaches Beverages including fruit juices and dairy based . Cereals including rice and breakfast bars . Other products including appetizers. In addition, our staff can develop profiles for products the panel may never have seen. [ Consumer Testing ] We conduct consumer testing on demand and will recruit respondents according to your specifications, including product usage. Testing is usually in a laboratory setting but we also provide services for central location and home-use testing. We recruit respondents from our databases (N=2500) or through local televised or paper ads. We also have the ability of organize tests at multiple sites. The type of test we can organize is extremely flexible and include: Acceptance and/or Preference Use of various scales including hedonic, just right, intensity, purchase intent, etc. Sequential Monadic or Monadic [ Preference Mapping/Modeling ] We specialize in this type of test as data from both consumer testing and descriptive analysis can be used simultaneously to provide directions in the optimization of food products. Methodology used include: Internal and External Preference Mapping Identification of Ideal Points Proportional Odds Models Partial Least Squares Regression Services Costs The service center is a non-profit entity. As such, fees are based on costs associated with the staff and operation of the laboratory. Examples of cost for services are as follows: Descriptive analysis including data analysis is $450/hour Consumer testing cost is variable depending on number of samples, type of test, a number of respondents. For example, a one-day test with 4 to samples and 75 respondents is approximately $3100. Please contact us (jfmeull@uark.edu) to get an exact quote for your project Facilities The sensory laboratory features 13 computerized booths, with positive pressure and controlled lighting and environment. A preparation kitchen equipped with four ovens, heating lamps, microwaves, fryers, and commercial refrigerators and freezers. A conference room for panel orientation and discussions. A video recording system and an observation room to conduct quantitative research (e.g. focus groups)