An Integrated Plasmonic Sensing Array for Chemical Fingerprinting and Flavour Profiling in Beverages and Other Liquids

We report a reusable cross-reactive plasmonic sensing system that generates unique optical fingerprints for any liquid mixture. The platform leverages a multiplexed plasmonic chip and methodology for creating 24 orthogonally modified sensors, coupled with hyperspectral imaging. We demonstrate the versatility and sensitivity of our platform by distinguishing not only between broad categories of chemically diverse beverages but also between individual products within those categories, capturing subtle chemical variations, even within highly dilute samples such as mineral waters. Capable of instantaneously fingerprinting any liquid sample, and measuring the kinetics of reversible supramolecular interactions driving that fingerprint, this technology represents a breakthrough in cross-reactive liquid-phase sensor arrays. Our field-deployable tool provides a turn-key solution for QA/QC in beverage production, a platform to immediately expand liquid fingerprint analysis beyond food and drink, and, with array expansion, the potential to profile the complex interplay of molecular and perceived attributes contributing to taste and flavour.