Electronic noses in the quality control of alcoholic beverages

In the last 20 years, there has always been research into electronic noses with the main aim of achieving an instrument that can differentiate samples according to their complete volatile composition, quickly and objectively, so that quality in industry can be ensured and controlled. The electronic noses developed so far can be classified into two groups on the basis of their detection systems: classical instruments, which are based on solid state gas sensors, and new instruments, which are based on mass spectrometry (MS). In general, MS-based instruments have the advantage over the classical instruments (e.g., in stability, sensitivity and versatility). Furthermore, in the analysis of alcoholic beverages, the advantages of MS-based instruments are even more evident because the high ethanol content of the samples interferes with solid-state gas sensors. This article presents an overview of electronic nose applications in the field of alcoholic beverages. We describe the electronic noses that have been developed and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.