Brewing for beyond earth: Assessing how simulated space environment alters beer perception, with AI-driven sensory prediction from E-nose data

Abstract

Understanding how conditions in space alter sensory perception of food and beverages in astronauts is a great challenge. This study aimed to assess differences in sensory acceptability and perception of beer tasted under Earth- and space-like immersive environments. Three pale ale beers infused with dried coriander and basil were produced with different foliar-stage silicon supplementation levels and exposed to 20-70 Hz sound treatments. Fifty-nine regular beer consumers evaluated the samples in simulated space and Earth environments; self-reported and contactless biometrics were collected. A low-cost electronic nose was used to analyze the samples. ANOVA and principal components analysis (P..