Technical Yearbook 2024

JULY

SHUTTERSTOCK

VINE AND WINE INNOVATION WATCH

Electronic noses By Karien O’Kennedy

Introduction Recent research has revealed the profound significance of our olfactory abilities, challenging the long-held notion that humans have a poor sense of smell. Contrary to popular belief, humans possess remarkable olfactory skills, capable of discerning various odours with precision and nuance. When we encounter a scent, whether the aroma of a freshly baked loaf of bread or the delicate bouquet of fine wine, a cascade of events unfolds within our nasal passages. Odorant molecules are captured by olfactory receptors, setting off chemical reactions and electrical signals that eventually reach the olfactory bulb in the brain. The human olfactory bulb is quite large and contains a similar number of neurons to other mammals, indicating the significance of human olfaction. From these signals, our brain extracts different types of information, including the identity of objects and food,

environmental hazards, and social and emotional cues. The human sense of smell is vital in various aspects of daily life. Given its importance, there has been a growing interest in developing instruments that mimic the complexity of our noses. Electronic noses Electronic noses, or E-noses, have emerged as game changing tools in various fields, including biomedicine, environmental science, industrial materials production and the food industry. The wine industry has shown significant interest in developing sensors that mimic the complexity of human noses. Wine sensory analysis, a science beyond mere tasting, involves discerning wine’s most delicate aromas. A trained nose becomes a sophisticated instrument for perceiving intricate aromas and translating them into objective assessments.

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024