Application of electronic nose with MOS sensors to prediction of rapeseed quality

Rapeseed is one of the main raw materials regarded as a source of edible oil for humans. Stored in order to maintain continuity of production can undergo deterioration of the quality. Therefore, there is a need for rapid methods for the assessment of its quality. The quality of rapeseed during 31 days of storage was studied. Colony Forming Unit (CFU), Ergosterol content (ERG), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were examined using an electronic nose (Agrinose). The electronic nose was built of 8 metal-oxide semiconductor sensors (type MOS) and one representing the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems technology (MEMS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA), as a method of data analysis, was applied to the visualisation rapeseed groups of different quality. An analysis of sensorgrams (sensor drift) with a strong signal was performed. Six from the eight sensors gave a clear response to spoiled rapeseed VOCs. The results have shown a correlation between microbiological and chemical methods for assessment of quality with responses of electrochemical sensors. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.