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Biography
Luciano Vera is a regarded expert in the field of odorant molecule characterization and odour interpretation. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, specializing in the sensory characterization of beverages using rapid analytical techniques.
Luciano has designed, implemented and developed from scratch two specialized chemical laboratories for molecular odor evaluation based on chromatographic techniques for multinational companies in Spain and Germany. He has also served as manager of these laboratories and director of a center of competence for molecular odor assessment. He has nearly two decades of experience in the application and development of analytical methods, including GC-MS, GC-Sniffing, e-sensors, in the field of molecular odor characterization and interpretation. Dr. Vera has participated in numerous lectures as an expert in the field of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors. He is an expert in the elucidation of odorants in complex samples using self-developed automated GC-MS data processing techniques. Since 2023, he has led the Aroma Engineering team at Noze in Canada, continuing to push the boundaries of innovation in the field.
Abstract
GC-MS sniffing is one of the most sophisticated analytical techniques currently available for unravelling the intricate molecular nature of odours. It is not simply about identifying the sensory profile of a single molecule. Rather, it is about delving into the complex arithmetic of odorants that combine to create odours and providing a thorough characterisation of both the molecular and sensory aspects of an odour. However, proficiency in GC-MS sniffing requires a comprehensive and technically proficient olfactory vocabulary.
One of the key challenges in this field is the limited availability of natural sources of pure odour molecules. The limited availability of pure odour molecules forces scientists and analysts to describe odour perceptions in terms of objects or experiences associated with them, rather than the chemicals themselves. While this method of description is convenient, it adds a layer of complexity to the inevitably subjective nature of sensory interpretation, which can lead to inconsistencies and make it difficult to achieve precise and accurate odour characterisation. In the field of GC-Sniffing, the ephemeral nature of olfactory perceptions presents a significant challenge. As a result, analysts often use a generic, inconsistent and sometimes ambiguous vocabulary to describe odours, which presents a challenge in the field. These descriptions are then compared to public databases, which often lack thorough sensory validation, resulting in incorrect odour identification and association.
This sensory challenge is an important but under-explored aspect of GC-MS sniffing. The existing literature on the subject does not adequately address this issue, leaving a gap in our understanding and application of the technique. Given the central role that sensory evaluation plays in GC-MS sniffing, it is essential that we develop a more robust framework for this process. Such an approach would not only improve the accuracy of our odour descriptions, but also broaden our understanding of the subject.