Detection of Fusarium poae Infestation in Wheat Grain by Measurement with Two Electronic Noses

Fusarium poae is a pathogen that is widespread in the temperate zone and poses a serious threat to crops due to its wide range of host plants (including cereals). Electronic nose measurements were performed on wheat grains infected with F. poae to evaluate the application of early detection of fungal infections. Wheat seeds were artificially inoculated to test the devices. Three same-weight but different infection level experiment variants were prepared: 3 g infected seeds with 12 g healthy seeds, 5 g infected seeds with 10 g healthy seeds, and 10 g infected seeds with only 5 g healthy seeds. The seeds were infected with fresh fragments of F. poae mycelium. Measurements were carried out for five constructive days, recording the changes in volatile odor compounds released each day. A custom-built, low-cost device based on Figaro Inc. TGS metal-oxide semiconductor gas sensors and a commercially available PEN3 electronic nose device from Airsense Analytics GmbH were used for the experiment. A non-linear sensor response for the measured sample odor was observed with both devices. Spoiled grain in a proportion of 1/15 of the sample could be detected by measuring the volatile components. However, the patterns of the sensor responses were different for the various concentrations of spoiled grain in the measured samples.