Consumers and manufacturers in the beverage industry are set to benefit from a groundbreaking portable device designed to assess the quality and safety of alcoholic drinks. This innovative kit, comparable in size to a COVID-19 test, is being referred to as an “artificial tongue” due to its ability to identify additives, toxins, and sweetness levels with just a few drops of liquid.
Developed by researchers at Nanjing University, this first-generation technology is not yet capable of detecting date rape drugs or methanol contamination—an issue highlighted by recent tragedies involving contaminated alcohol. However, advancements are on the horizon that may expand its capabilities further.
Traditional methods of analyzing alcoholic beverages, such as liquid chromatography, rely heavily on expensive laboratory equipment and require trained technicians to operate. In contrast, the artificial tongue utilizes groundbreaking biological nanopore technology. This technique employs a modified bacterium with tiny pores in its cell membrane, through which small molecules can be tested when an electrical charge is applied.
As these molecules traverse the nanopore, they produce a distinct electrical signature, allowing for the identification of various chemicals within the sample. This technology has already transformed DNA sequencing, enabling rapid, portable testing of genetic material.
The researchers have repurposed nanopores used in DNA analysis, specifically those created from the bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis. By integrating artificial intelligence, the device can quickly determine the nature of the alcoholic beverage and detect counterfeit products. “The sensor provides immediate identification and a quantitative assessment of the drink,” explained a team member.
This nanopore detector operates solely on electricity, making it accessible for use at home, in offices, or even on-the-go. With a simple application of a drop of the beverage to the sensor, results can be obtained quickly, thanks to a machine learning algorithm that processes the data. “This process is as straightforward as taking a COVID-19 test,” they noted.
Topics:
- Biotechnology /
- Food and Drink
