Spanish and Swedish researchers have developed an electronic sensor more capable of detecting fruity smells than the human nose. The 32-sensor device is powerful enough to identify odors given off by chopped apples and pears, www.agenciasinc.es reported.

The study from Universidad Politécnica de Valencia and University of Gävle is the beginning of series of multisensor systems to improve the ability to distinguish between complex mixtures and substances, explained José Pelegrí Sebastiá, UPV researched and co-author.

"An example would be the wine sector where it would be very useful to have an electronic nose capable of distinguishing the quality or type of wine, or of recognizing the harvest that a wine pertains to," Pelegrini said on www.agenciasinc.es.

He explained that the detection process works by introducing the fruit into a pre-chamber. An air flow is then injected that arrives to the sensory tower and metal oxide semiconductors that detect odoriferous compounds such as methane or butane.

Using software, data is collected in real time and processed through the program's algorithm. Results can be see in a 3D graphic that shows the different scores from the apples and pears.

The study is published in Sensors and Actuators A.

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