A procedure for optimal calibration for a QCM electronic nose. Relation with specifications for pear quality.

Abstract

The “Rome Tor Vergata” electronic nose has eight Quartz Microbalance Sensors. When a mass is absorbed or placed onto the quartz crystal surface, the oscillation frequency changes in proportion to the amount of mass.
Despite previous studies, no QCM calibration statement has been made in relation to the sensitivity needed in the sensors for pear quality assessment.
A calibration procedure has been designed and precision, sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, on a QCM based electronic nose, evaluated.
Using data of emission for pear, determinated by GC, it has been evaluated the extracted metrology features in relation to the specifications of the sensing device needed for quality assessment in pears.