Improvement of the electronic nose response to detect presence of transmitters of Chagas disease

The objective of this work is to improve the electronic nose (e-nose) response to detect the presence of Triatoma infestans, commonly named “vinchuca”, transmitters of Trypanosoma cruzi, agent of the Chagas disease (ECh). An electronic nose developed in our own laboratory, with 8 commercial MOX type SnO 2 sensors, was used. Different reference gases used in the purging of the e-nose sensors chamber were analyzed. The samples analyzed consisted of pieces of filter paper placed in contact with individuals of Triatoma infestans during 168 hours. After removing the insects, the samples were irradiated with UV laser to increase the intensity of the measured signals. Notable improvements in the amplitude of the sensors signals were obtained using N 2 as reference gas in combination with UV laser irradiation.