Electronic Tongues for Inedible Media

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Sensor Technology
• Machine Learning

Background:

• Multisensor systems (MSS), including "electronic tongues" and "taste sensors", are primarily studied for analyzing edible substances.
• Their development was often driven by the goal of replacing human gustatory testing.
• The core technology of MSS, comprising cross-sensitive chemical sensor arrays and machine learning for data processing, is not inherently limited to edible applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight the diverse applications of multisensor systems (MSS) for the analysis of inedible analytes.
• To demonstrate the potential of MSS beyond traditional food and beverage analysis.
• To explore specific applications in agricultural and medical fields.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on multisensor systems (MSS) applications.
• Analysis of the fundamental principles of MSS, focusing on sensor arrays and machine learning algorithms.
• Categorization of MSS applications based on the type of inedible analyte and field of use.

Main Results:

• MSS have been successfully applied to a wide range of inedible analytes.
• Significant applications exist in agricultural contexts, such as soil and water analysis.
• Promising applications are emerging in the medical field, including diagnostics and biological fluid analysis.
• The review demonstrates the adaptability and broad utility of MSS technology.

Conclusions:

• The principle of multisensor systems (MSS) allows for their effective use in analyzing inedible media, not just edible ones.
• MSS offer a powerful tool for diverse applications in agriculture and medicine.
• Further research and development in MSS for inedible analysis are warranted to unlock their full potential.