Development of electronic tongue for discrimination of perfume samples aiming to recognize adulteration and counterfeiting processes

• Grant number: 13/02237-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): March 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Regis Longo Cesar da Paixão
• Grantee: Luiza Pereira de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Several analytical techniques have been used to characterize substances in perfumes. In almost cases, these techniques are based on quantification of species responsible for the aromatic properties of the sample. However, perfumes show several components, and their formation can vary significantly from sample to sample, depending on the brand and characteristics of the constituents in solution, i.e. by chemical fingerprint of the sample. In case of so complex samples, it is difficult to choose one classical method for evaluating the sample. In this type of analysis, it is more important to obtain information about the global composition of the sample and what makes it unique against other samples. Thus, the use of alternative analytical tools or techniques to analyze such sample becomes necessary. Hence, the characteristics of electronic tongues corroborate with the needs for this type of analysis. In this project, we intend to develop and study the operation of new smart devices (electronic tongues) in order to discriminate perfume samples to recognize adulteration and counterfeiting processes. (AU)