Electronic nose and machine learning for modern meat inspection

Abstract Objective and reliable post-mortem meat inspection is a key factor in ensuring adequate assessment and quality control of meat intended for human consumption. Early identification of issues that may impact public health and animal health and welfare, such as the presence of chemical contaminants in meat, is critical. In this study, we propose a novel method to modernize meat inspection using an electronic nose combined with machine learning (ML), with focus on pig meat as a case study. We explored its potential as a complementary tool to traditional sensory evaluation and analytical methods, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of current inspections. We employed a metal-oxide based gas sensor array of commercially available chemoresistive sensors, functioning as an electronic nose, to differentiate between various categories of 100 pig meat samples collected at a slaughterhouse based on their odor characteristics, including a urine-like smell and post-mortem aging. Using the Optimizable Ensemble model, we achieved a sensitivity of 96.5% and specificity of 95.3% in categorizing fresh and urine-contaminated meat samples. The model demonstrated robust predictive performance with a Kappa value of approximately 0.926, indicating near-perfect agreement between the predictions and actual classifications. Furthermore, our developed ML model demonstrated the ability to distinguish between nominally fresh pig meat and meat aged for one to two additional days with an accuracy of 93.5% and can also correctly identify meat aged 3–31 days or 17–31 days. Based on the consensus of preliminary decisions from each individual sensor element, the algorithm effectively determined the final status of the meat. This research lays the groundwork for practical applications within the meat inspection process in slaughterhouses and as quality assurance throughout the meat supply chain. As we continue to refine and validate this method, its potential for real-world implementation becomes increasingly evident.