Intelligent optical fiber probe for rapid beer quality assessment

This paper presents a novel optical fiber sensor for beer quality assessment. The sensor is based on a modal Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) incorporating a long period grating (LPG) pair. The MZI is a highly sensitive device capable of measuring the optical properties of beer samples to identify their brands and lots. We demonstrated the performance of the MZI by applying it to three commercial beer brands with different lots. Employing linear discriminant analysis (LDA), Jeffries-Matusita distance, and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN), we identified similarities and differences among beer samples. Our results demonstrate the MZI’s capability to separate beer brands and lots. Additionally, we detected a discrepancy in one of the lots, indicating a potential quality issue. This method offers a non-destructive, real-time, and low-cost solution for beer quality monitoring that aligns with the principles of Industry 4.0. Our research contributes significantly to the ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of quality assessment in the beer industry.