Alcoholic fermentation is a complex biochemical process during which yeasts convert sugars to ethanol, carbon dioxide, and other metabolic byproducts that contribute to the chemical composition and sensorial properties of the fermented foodstuffs. Alcoholic fermentation is the basis for the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. Control of fermentation is generally considered as a prerequisite to determine the quality of the final product. In this context, fermentation monitoring is a growing need, which calls for fast, low-cost, and nondestructive methods providing real-time or online information in order to assure an effective control at all stages of the process. In this chapter, after a brief description of the main aspects of the alcoholic fermentation, an overview on the applicability of the electronic nose and the electronic tongue to the alcoholic fermentation monitoring has been presented and discussed.
Under anaerobic conditions, the pyruvate can be transformed to ethanol, where it first converts into a midway molecule called acetaldehyde, which further releases carbon dioxide, and acetaldehyde is converted into ethanol. In alcoholic fermentation, the electron acceptor called NAD + is reduced to form NADH. The exchange of electrons that occurs in the process helps to build ATP