Array of sensors based on conducting polymers for the quality control of the aroma of the virgin olive oil

In this paper, a sensor array based on thin films of conducting polymers aiming to discriminate among different virgin olive oils is described. The array has been constructed using eight polymeric sensors. They were deposited electrochemically by using different electrodeposition conditions, different monomers (3-methylthiophene, pyrrole and aniline) and doping agents. Olive oil samples with well-defined organoleptic characteristics have been selected by a panel of experts. They included virgin olive oils of different qualities (extra virgin, virgin and lampante) as well as a refined olive oil. Four types of olive oil samples with well-defined "off odours", that is with unpleasant aromatic notes, named musty, rancid, fusty and muddy, have also been included in the study. The sensors are stable and show good reproducibility and reversibility when exposed to the headspace of the virgin olive oils. The array of sensors combined with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) allows the discrimination of different types of olive oils. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.