This review examines the main features of modern electronic noses (e-noses) and their most important applications in food control in this new century. The three components of an electronic nose (sample handling system, detection system, and data processing system) are described. Special attention is devoted to the promising mass spectrometry based e-noses, due to their advantages over the more classical gas sensors. Applications described include process monitoring, shelf-life investigation, freshness evaluation and authenticity assessment, as well as other general aspects of the utilisation of electronic noses in food control. Finally, some interesting observations concerning the strengths and weaknesses of electronic noses in food control are also presented.
Peris M, Escuder-Gilabert L.
Anal Chim Acta 2009; 638 (1):1-15