Scientists at Nanjing University in China have discovered a new way to test alcoholic drinks for quality and safety using an “artificial tongue.”
A report by the New Scientist on 17 December said the tool is as simple as a Covid test kit and can detect additives, toxins and the sweetness of the alcoholic drink with just a few drops.
Simplifying beverage testing
Testing of alcoholic drinks has been around for a long time. However, the methods used are complex and expensive, and also require experts to carry out tests. This is about to change with the “artificial tongue” invention.
The new kit leverages biological nanopore technology that uses a modified organism such as a bacterium with a small hole or pore to test alcoholic beverages.
The technology uses charges on the cell membrane of the bacterium to absorb the drink being tested through tiny pores created on the cells for analysis.
By using a unique algorithmic learning model on the chemical makeups of a variety of alcoholic drinks including whisky, brandy, Chinese Baiju, and white wine, scientists can test the drink for safety and quality by using just a few drops.
Speaking to the New Scientist, Shuo Huang the study co author said:
“It can provide a quantitative standard for the product and also easily spot counterfeit alcoholic beverage products, as well.”
With this invention, many lives can be saved when harmful additives are detected in drinks like wine. Huang said this first generation of the new technology can’t yet test for date rape drugs in spiked drinks or detect methanol contamination, but future versions may.
The beverage testing tool will soon be available, thus revolutionizing testing of alcoholic drinks and making it safer to drink them without any harm, as is the case with deaths due to methanol contamination in some drinks.
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