An Overview of Artificial Olfaction Systems with a Focus on Surface Plasmon Resonance for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

The last three decades have witnessed an increasing demand for novel analytical tools for the analysis of gases including odorants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various domains. Traditional techniques such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, although very efficient, present several drawbacks. Such a context has incited the research and industrial communities to work on the development of alternative technologies such as artificial olfaction systems, including gas sensors, olfactory biosensors and electronic noses (eNs). A wide variety of these systems have been designed using chemiresistive, electrochemical, acoustic or optical transducers. Among optical transduction systems, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has been extensively studied thanks to its attractive features (high sensitivity, label free, real-time measurements). In this paper, we present an overview of the advances in the development of artificial olfaction systems with a focus on their development based on propagating SPR with different coupling configurations, including prism coupler, wave guide, and grating.

Electrochemical Signal Amplification Strategies and Their Use in Olfactory and Taste Evaluation

“…and anthropogenic (fossil fuels, automobile exhaust, etc.) [ 24 ]. Studies have shown that most VOCs have adverse effects on human health, causing symptoms such as headaches, and nose, eye and throat irritation [ 25 ].…”

“…In addition, VOC and odor analysis can be used for quality assessment in the food, beverage, and flavor industries. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the nature and concentration of these compounds in indoor or outdoor environments [ 24 ].…”

Paving the Way for a Green Transition in the Design of Sensors and Biosensors for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

“…In the past decades the literature has reported novel VOC sensors and biosensors designed for solving these issues with remarkable results, as reported in different reviews and research papers [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. In general, VOC sensors are devices capable of registering electrical, photophysical, mechanical, or biological changes, after the interaction with specific volatile compounds.…”

Carbon SH-SAW-Based Electronic Nose to Discriminate and Classify Sub-ppm NO2

“…In recent years, elastic sensitivity has been presented as a novel way to measure gases by a small shift in elastic properties of nanostructured layers [ 11 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Several studies to achieve sensors based on nanostructured sensitive layers had been performed [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], resulting in highly sensitive and selective sensors to improve electronic nose technology for detecting, discriminating and classifying target gases. For example, Bhasker et al [ 27 ] conclude that both mass loading and change in elasticity, are the sensing mechanisms in ammonia detection.…”