Avoiding nonsense in electronic taste sensing

Abstract

Last years have watched the birth and profusion of analytical systems known as “taste sensors” or “electronic tongues”. Regardless of the fancy names, these “taste sensors” and “electronic tongues” are primarily analytical instruments and require responsible handling and application in order to provide for meaningful results. In spite of intensively reported scientific activities and even commercial availability of such devices, multisensor systems are still not widely used in routine laboratory and industrial practice but are rather research instruments. The purpose of this report is to critically analyze different aspects of multisensor systems’ studies and to highlight problematic issues requiring special attention from the research community to keep staying objective with reported results and declared conclusions.