Performance on an odor detection and identification test as a predictor of ortho- and retronasal odor intensity ratings in the young and elderly

Orthonasally, the young differentiated the aroma concentrations in the whey drinks better than the elderly performing poorly in ETOC. Retronasally, the young and the well performing elderly gave higher intensity ratings for higher concentrations, while the poorly performing elderly were unable to do this. A tendency for small intensity difference in the poorly performing elderly was observed in ortho- and retronasal ratings for aqueous solutions, and orthonasal ratings for grape juice and yogurt. Retronasal intensity ratings of the elderly for grape juice and yogurt were not associated with their ETOC performance. Hence, olfactory performance measured by the ETOC predicted orthonasal intensity ratings, though not evidently, while its predictive ability for the retronasal intensity ratings of the elderly for complex food systems was deficient.