Development of an odor-discriminating sensor-array for the Detection of the aroma of ascomycete tuber

Abstract

An “electronic nose” based on a low-cost array of gas-sensors is developed and tested for the detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emanated from samples of the ascomecyte Tuber or truffle. These fungi have highly appreciated gastronomical and nutritive merits and they own a variable characteristic aroma depending on their stage of maturation and place of origin. A data acquisition system is developed and the response of the gas sensors to truffle samples is monitored. Preliminary results show that an intelligent odor-discriminating system based on a gas sensor array is possible and can contribute to the identification and classification of truffles.