Differences in salivary flow and composition between age groups are correlated to dynamic retronasal aroma perception during wine consumption

Salivary flow and composition have been related to the dynamics of retronasal aroma release during wine consumption. However, whether differences in saliva composition among age groups are related to wine aroma perception remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this work has been to determine the relationship between salivary parameters and the dynamics of wine retronasal aroma perception in two groups of individuals of different age (young and senior adults). To do so, 22 individuals, 11 from the young group (18–35 years old) and another 11 from the senior group (>55 y.o.) were recruited for this study. The retronasal aroma intensity of two specific aroma attributes (smoked and black pepper) of a red wine was rated by using Time-Intensity (TI) methodology. Saliva was previously collected from each individual. Salivary flow and composition (pH, total protein content, protease and α-amylase activities) were determined in order to characterise the two groups of panellists. Results showed significant differences among age groups (young and seniors) in the TI parameters extracted from the dynamics curves of retronasal aroma perception of both attributes. Thus, smoky and black pepper notes were more intensely rated and for longer times by the senior group than by the younger group. Salivary parameters were also significantly different in both age groups. A significant positive correlation between the salivary total protein content and the maximum intensity (Imax) perceived, and a significant negative correlation between the salivary flow and most TI parameters (Imax, area under the curve and duration time of the perceived stimuli) were found for both aroma attributes.This work was supported by the Spanish MINECO through the AGL201678936-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) Project. C.M.-G. thanks the JdC program from MINECO for her PhD contract.Peer reviewe