A single layer of sliced commercially canned Agaricus
spp. mushrooms was arranged in a 100 3 15-mm
plastic petri dish which had been divided into four
quadrants. A total of 16 different petri dishes were
prepared. In each quadrant, a single hair was randomly
placed on a mushroom slice. Unbeknownst to
the panelists, the same hair type and length were
placed in all four quadrants on the same petri dish.
Each petri dish was given a random three-digit number.
Four petri dishes were arranged on a white Styrofoam
tray. The trays were placed carefully on the
table prior to examination (two trays per booth). Panelists
were not allowed to handle the petri dishes as
this could compromise the position of the mushrooms
and/or hair. Care was taken to prevent the desiccation
of the mushrooms during the test by misting the mushrooms
with distilled water as necessary and keeping
the petri dishes covered with lids. The petri dish lids
were removed just prior to testing. Panelists were
given 1 min to observe each tray and record their
results on a standardized form.