title: Non-destructive flavour evaluation of red onion (Allium cepa L.) ecotypes: an electronic-nose-based approach.
abstract: This work reports preliminary results on the potential of a metal oxide sensor (MOS)-based electronic nose, as a non-destructive method to discriminate three "Tropea Red Onion" PGI ecotypes (TrT, TrMC and TrA) from each other and the common red onion (RO), which is usually used to counterfeit. The signals from the sensor array were processed using a canonical discriminant function analysis (DFA) pattern recognition technique. The DFA on onion samples showed a clear separation among the four onion groups with an overall correct classification rate (CR) of 97.5%. Onion flavour is closely linked to pungency and thus to the pyruvic acid content. The e-nose analysis results are in good agreement with pyruvic acid analysis. This work demonstrated that artificial olfactory systems have potential for use as an innovative, rapid and specific non-destructive technique, and may provide a method to protect food products against counterfeiting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Laboratory of Food Chemistry, University of Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy. mariateresa.russo@unirc.it
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: di Sanzo
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cefaly
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carabetta
authors.forename: Demetrio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fuda
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D062609:Electronic Nose; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D019697:Onions / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005421:Flavoring Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts