Electronic tongue - new analytical tool for liquid analysis on the basis of non-specific sensors and methods of pattern recognition

Development of promising sensor instrument - electronic tongue based on sensor arrays with data processing by pattern recognition methods have been described. The attention is paid to electronic tongue based on an array of original non-specific (non-selective) potentiometric chemical sensors with chalcogenide glass membranes. Principles of research, criteria for the development of non-selective sensing materials, pattern recognition methods have been described. Possible applications and some results of integral qualitative analysis of beverages and of quantitative analysis of complex liquids, containing heavy metals are reported. Discriminating power obtained and possibility of multicomponent analysis permit to consider electronic tongue as a perspective analytical concept. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.