A bioelectronic nose with a flexible and implantable neural interface for odor detection and tobacco evaluation

Abstract

The evaluation of tobacco aroma is a critical determinant of tobacco quality. However, traditional sensory evaluation methods are often hindered by subjectivity and inefficiency. While bioelectronic noses exhibit high specificity and sensitivity, their application in tobacco odor assessment has yet to be fully explored. In this study, we fabricated a multi-shank flexible implantable neural interface based on SU-8 substrates, designed for large-scale recording of olfactory neuronal activity. The interface, coated with water-soluble materials, facilitates implantation and seamless integration with rat olfactory neurons. By employing advanced pattern recognition algorithms, the bioelectronic nose demonstrated an impressive ability to detect and accurately discriminate a wide range of odors, achieving a recognition accuracy of 90.05%, even for low-concentration odors (0.01 ppm). The system's performance was further validated using Chinese-style and British-style flue-cured tobacco samples, confirming its capability in tobacco aroma evaluation. The results confirm that this approach shows significant potential to provide objective and reliable sensory evaluation of tobacco aroma characteristics, compared to traditional manual assessment methods.