In order to compare distincts statistical treatments used in sensorial analysis, the acceptance of 11 sugar cane brandy samples were evaluated by sensorial affective tests, treated by two distints statistical analysis: univariate variance analysis (ANOVA) and the multivariate internal preference map (MDPREF). It were analyzed samples stored in a 200 l oak casks during zero, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months and six commercial brands, three of then having the denomination stored and the other three not stored. The samples were evaluated by 100 judges, selected based in a questionary that evaluated affectivity for the product. The sensorial tests conducted in individual cabins were based in a hedonic scale of nine centimeters. The ANOVA and Tukey test and the Internal preference Map (MDPREF), were used to evaluate the obtained data. The ANOVA results showed that the samples stored during 48, 36 and 24 months in the oak cask, presented the higher acceptance scores (scores near 8.0 in the hedonic scale), one commercial brand not stored showed the lowest score, and the others samples showed intermediate acceptance scores. The MDPREF analysis generated in a multidimensional space where the preference data variations were presented in orthogonal axes values, based in the consumers response for each sample. Based on the acceptance data of individual consumers and the vectors of preference, it was plotted a multidimensional map as a function of acceptance data. In this case, the MDPREF generated was based in the first and second preference dimensions, that can explained 89.83% of the acceptance samples variations observed. The MDPREF had confirmed the ANOVA results, indicating a consumer higher preference for the samples stored for at least 24 months and lower preference for not stored samples and for commercial stored samples that may be blended and have the color corrected. The polyphenol contents and the color intensity of the samples were also determined and showed positive linear correlation significative (p<=0.05) with the aging time of the samples.
acceptance analysis; sugar cane spirits; aging
