Sentia is a hand held, portable testing device which will change
the nature of laboratory testing in the wine industry

Sentia measures the concentration of free sulfur dioxide (free SO2) in post-fermentation wine. It is called free SO2 because we are only measuring the sulfur dioxide that has not bound with other chemicals in the wine (such as aldehydes, pigments, or sugars).

Sulfur dioxide is an additive used during the production of wine. In bottled wine, free SO2 acts as a preservative but there is a balance to strike: too much free SO2 can taint the consumer experience; too little could mean the wine spoils in the bottle. For this reason, measuring free SO2 is important to winemakers.

Malic Acid testing is now available with Glucose and Fructose testing coming soon!

Calibration and reagent free

There are no messy reagents because everything is packaged into the Sentia Test Strip. Calibration data is automatically and seamlessly transferred to the Analyzer by WiFi as each batch of Test Strips is manufactured at Universal Biosensors. This frees the user from messy and time consuming calibration.

Compatible with future test types

The same analyzer hardware will be able to test for other chemicals in the future.

(Note that this will require an in-field software upgrade which is downloaded automatically in the background over WiFi – but will need the user’s permission before installation takes place.).

Measuring range: 3 to 50 mg/L (free-SO²)

The measuring range is sufficient for the winemaker to make the required decisions with respect to free SO².

Sample size: at least 8 microlitres

The small sample size makes sample application easier to and more reliable.

In-built quality control checks

The in-built quality control checks make the test results more reliable and less subject to external interference.

Stores up to 1000 test results for review- ing or exporting

The large database of historical results (which can be exported to other devices via WiFi) allows test data to be stored and analysed.

Light and portable with long battery life (up to 100 tests) and quick battery charging

The pocket-sized footprint (similar to a typical smartphone), light weight and long battery life (with quick charging time) makes Sentia a truly portable solution that provides quick and easy tests results wherever they are required.

7cm (2.8in) touchscreen colour display

The rich touchscreen display makes for an intuitive software experience that requires virtually no training or experience, allowing the user to focus on what really matters.

Wireless (WiFi) connectivity

The analyzer connects to WiFi to:

• download calibration data (done automatically and seamlessly in the background)
• export test results to external devices (like laptops, smartphones and tablets)
• download software updates automatically (software updates are only installed with the user’s permission)

Universal Biosensors has proven Sentia’s performance by doing specific studies at typical wineries as well as research institutes in the USA and Australia. A typical study involves statistical comparison between test results collected on Sentia and test results collected using a so-called reference method (which is one of several methods currently used by the industry). Reference methods are typically manual laboratory processes or benchtop chemical analyzers.

It is important to note that Sentia’s measurement performance has been proven with typical red wine and white wines. For other types of wine (e.g. sparkling wine, rosé and some light reds), results on the Sentia system may not match reference methods as well. In these cases, each user should start by cross- checking Sentia’s test results for their particular wine against an alternate method. Once Sentia’s performance has been characterised for their particular wine, users can determine free SO2 levels with confidence.