Synergistic approaches for odor active compounds monitoring and identification: State of the art, integration, limits and potentialities of analytical and sensorial techniques

Odor monitoring has been an issue of concern for a long time and new devices and innovative approaches to recognize and quantify odors, to characterize emission sources and to activate mitigation systems were developed. Chemical characterization of odorants provides useful information about composition and mechanisms of formation but fails in the reconstruction of the final odor perception. Electronic noses remain unmatched devices when the cheapest approach for high temporal resolution monitoring of odorous phenomena is required but their use implies a robust training and is affected by poor reliability. Synergistic approach based on chemical characterization, dynamic olfactometry and electronic noses reveals to be the best way to a) characterize odors; b) evaluate their concentration; c) develop innovative and tailored monitoring systems. Therefore, this review aims to examine the recently advanced in odor detection and monitoring methods highlighting limits and potentialities and proposing the integration of them as a strategic approach.