The electronic tongue, or e-tongue is based on an array of tiny synthetic membranes built on to a single silicon chip called a multisensor. Each membrane has a different sensitivity to the various chemical components that distinguish one grape variety from another and one wine vintage from the next.
'The results have demonstrated the potential of using those multisensors as electronic tongues not only for distinguishing the samples according to the grape variety and the vintage year, but also for quantitative prediction of several sample parameters, said Cecilia Jiménez Jorquera, of the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics.
This e-Tongue can already distinguish between four grape varieties, Airén, Chardonnay, Malvasia and Macabeo as also samples of the same wine belonging to the vintage years 2004 and 2005.
The scientists hope that by extending the range of chemicals the e-tongue can distinguish, it will be able to identify substances or additives that could affect wine quality or indicate wine fraud.
The device is simple to use and can be made portable so that wine samples can be tested on site, says the report. |