Method for detecting boar odor

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a probe, in particular chosen from rhodamine or a derivative thereof, for detecting at least one molecule responsible for boar odor, such as indole or skatole, said probe being chosen, for example, from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

Description

[0001] TITLE: METHOD FOR DETECTING BOAR ODOR

[0002] The subject of the present invention is a method for detecting boar odor, more particularly by the use of specific probes making it possible to detect the presence of molecules responsible for boar odor.

[0003] Boar taint, or boar taint, is a strong, unpleasant odor released during the cooking of the meat of certain pubescent pigs. This boar taint results from the accumulation of androsterone and skatole, and to a lesser extent, indole molecules, in the fatty tissues. To prevent the accumulation of these molecules in adult pigs destined for slaughter, they are castrated while still young before the boar taint permeates their meat.

[0004] However, to comply with a recent European directive prohibiting the castration of male pigs without anesthesia for ethical reasons, slaughterhouses in the European Union that choose to engage in the breeding of entire males will have to implement a systematic process for sorting uncastrated male pig carcasses in the coming years. It will be designed to detect those with a level of specific molecules (skatole, androsterone, indole) leading to a boar odor during cooking and making them unfit for direct consumption. Currently, the preferred method (“human nose”) consists of heating the fat on the carcass (soldering iron, blowtorch) and submitting it (online or offline) to a specialized operator capable of determining the acceptability of the carcass by smell. This is the industrial reference technique.This operation is relatively difficult to reproduce (disparity of operators, fatigue, etc.), subjective, non-quantitative and presents a high level of difficulty leading to the rotation of the operator every 30 minutes.

[0005] There are also colorimetric methods that are quick to analyze. However, they require a fat sample and an extraction step that requires a dedicated laboratory and personnel. Furthermore, this step lasts 40 minutes and poses a risk in terms of carcass identification.

[0006] There are other detection methods for analyzing these products but they require heavy and expensive equipment and these measurements cannot be carried out in the field.

[0007] In the context of boar taint detection, a few reports exist showing the feasibility of the approach. Liu et al. (Liu, X., H. Schmidt, and D. Morlein, Feasibility of boar taint classification using a portable Raman device. Meat Sci, 2016. 116: p. 133-9) used portable Raman probes to qualitatively detect the presence of target molecules. The Raman signal obtained in the absence of plasmonic probes (SERS) is weak, making this direct approach too time-consuming for the target applications in this project. Sorensen et al (Sorensen, KM, et al., Simultaneous quantification of the boar-taint compounds skatole and androstenone by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and multivariate data analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem, 2015. 407(25): p. 7787-95) proposed a liquid-phase SERS detection approach, allowing the detection of considerably lower concentrations (ppm).The liquid-phase detection applied in this study, however, requires an extraction step, which is not compatible with online detection and the desired productivity.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a simple, rapid and reproducible method for detecting the molecules responsible for boar taint.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a method for gas-phase detection of the molecules responsible for boar taint.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide a rapid detection method, usable on the slaughter line, and which can be carried out by a single operator.

[0011] Thus, the present invention relates to the use of a specific probe for the detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar odor.

[0012] Probe

[0013] The present invention is therefore based on the use of a probe chosen from specific sensitizers having suitable fluorescence properties.

[0014] The use according to the present invention is based on the following reaction:

[0015] S + hv -> S* (excitation of the sensitizer)

[0016] S* + Mol -> Mol + + S' (photoinduced electron transfer) where S is the sensitizer, Mol is the molecule responsible for boar taint, and * represents the excited state of the sensitizer. In the absence of the molecule responsible for boar taint, the sensitizer returns to the ground state by emitting a photon (fluorescence emission). In the presence of the molecule responsible for boar taint, the sensitizer in the excited state reacts with the molecule responsible for boar taint, the oxidant. In this case, a decrease in the fluorescence emission signal is observed.

[0017] In addition, the sensitizer must:

[0018] (i) either fluorescent in the absence of the molecule responsible for boar taint;

[0019] (ii) does not react with the molecule responsible for boar taint in the ground state; and

[0020] (iii) reacts with the molecule responsible for boar taint in the excited state.

[0021] The first criterion can be formulated in terms of the emission of the sensitizer, which can be expressed by the fluorescence absorption and emission spectrum.

[0022] For the other criteria, the ground state reduction potentials must be lower than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for the boar taint (criterion ii), and the excited state reduction potentials (singlet or triplet) must be higher than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for the boar taint (criterion iii).

[0023] In terms of reduction potentials, the values ​​in question are:

[0024] E s1 re d: excited state reduction potential (singlet)

[0025] E T1 red: excited state reduction potential (triplet) and

[0026] E red i / 2: reduction potential in the ground state.

[0027] The reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar taint, Eo(M + / M), corresponds to the potential at which the oxidized form of the molecule responsible for boar taint is formed at the surface of an electrode. This potential can be estimated by cyclic voltammetry experiments, from the half-wave potential in the presence of a background electrolyte / salt (e.g. TBA PFe). It is estimated for example from the half-wave potential in a cyclic voltammetry experiment in acetonitrile in the presence of 50 mM TBA PF6 as background salt at 0.7±0.05 V vs SCE (as described for example in Anal. Chem. 2022, 94, 16, 6403-6409 (https: / / pubs.acs.org / doi / abs / 10.1021 / acs.analchem.2c00930)).

[0028] Thus, the present invention relates to the use of a probe for the detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar odor, said probe being chosen from sensitizers having a reduction potential to the ground state, E redi / 2 (S / S-), strictly lower than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar taint, and presenting either a reduction potential in the singlet excited state, E s1 re d, strictly greater than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar odor, i.e. a reduction potential in the triplet excited state, E T1 re d, strictly greater than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar taint.

[0029] The sensitizer used therefore meets the following parameters:

[0030] E s1 re d (S / S-)> Eo(M + / M) or E T1 red (S / S-)> E0(M + / M), and

[0031] E red i / 2(S / S-) < Eo(M + / M).

[0032] Preferably, the singlet excited state reduction potential, E s1 red, of the sensitizer is comprised from 0.7 V to 2 V, preferably from 0.7 V to 1.7 V, and preferentially from 0.7 V to 1.2 V.

[0033] Preferably, the triplet excited state reduction potential, E T1 re d, of the sensitizer is comprised from 0.7 V to 2 V, preferably from 0.7 V to 1.7 V, and preferentially from 0.7 V to 1.2 V.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the probe used according to the invention is chosen from rhodamines, xanthenes and tetrazines.

[0035] An embodiment according to the present invention is based on the use of a molecule of the rhodamine family or its derivatives.

[0036] Such molecules are fluorophores, which are derivatives of xanthene. Rhodamines can be represented, for example, by the following structure, taken from the article by Mariana Beija, Carlos AM Afonso and José MG Martinho (Chem. Soc. Rev., 2009, 38, 2410-2433):

[0037] Examples of molecules in the rhodamine family include the following:

[0038] rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) rhodamine 101 (Rh101) rhodamine B (RhB) eosin Y According to a preferred embodiment, the probe used according to the invention is chosen from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

[0039] Preferably, the probe is rhodamine 6G or eosin Y.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the probe used according to the invention is rhodamine 6G.

[0041] Molecule responsible for boar taint As mentioned above, the invention relates to the detection of molecule(s) responsible for boar taint. The term “molecule responsible for boar taint” refers to a molecule that generates boar taint.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the molecule responsible for boar odor corresponds to the following formula (II): in which R 1 is H or methyl.

[0043] Examples of molecules responsible for boar taint include indole and skatole.

[0044] Preferably, the molecule responsible for boar taint is skatole.

[0045] Thus, the present invention relates in particular to the use of rhodamine 6G as defined above for the gas phase detection of indole or skatole, in particular skatole.

[0046] Detection method

[0047] The present invention also relates to a method for the gas phase detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar taint in a pork sample, said method comprising the following steps: a) bringing a pork sample into contact with a probe as defined above, in particular chosen from rhodamine or one of its derivatives, and b) measuring the intensity of the Raman signal or the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the probe after step a), c) comparing the value obtained in step b) with respectively the intensity of the Raman signal or the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the probe alone, and d) deducing therefrom whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a method for the gas phase detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar taint in a pork sample, said method comprising the following steps: a) bringing a pork sample into contact with a probe as defined above, in particular chosen from rhodamine or one of its derivatives, and b) measuring the fluorescence intensity of the probe after step a), c) comparing the value obtained in step b) with the fluorescence intensity of the probe alone, and d) deducing therefrom whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.

[0049] The present invention further relates to a method for the gas phase detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar taint in a pork sample, said method comprising the following steps: a) bringing a pork sample into contact with a probe as defined above, in particular chosen from rhodamine or one of its derivatives, and b) measuring the intensity of the Raman signal of the probe after step a), c) comparing the value obtained in step b) with the intensity of the Raman signal of the probe alone, and d) deducing therefrom whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method for gas-phase detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar taint in a pork sample, said method comprising the following steps: a) bringing together a pork sample with a probe as defined above, in particular chosen from rhodamine or one of its derivatives and a solution of plasmonic nano-objects (SERS substrate), to obtain a solution containing the probe, the plasmonic nano-objects and at least one molecule responsible for boar taint, b) measuring the Raman spectrum of the solution obtained at the end of step a); c) comparing the Raman spectrum obtained in step b) with the Raman spectrum obtained with the plasmonic nano-objects and the probe without the molecule responsible for boar taint, and d) deducing therefrom whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.By "gas phase detection method" is meant a method for detecting molecules responsible for boar taint, in particular obtained by direct volatilization of the target molecules from a pork sample without first involving a liquid phase extraction step from said pork sample.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the aforementioned step a) consists of bringing a pig sample into contact with a probe chosen from rhodamine or one of its derivatives, said probe being prepared by diluting rhodamine or one of its derivatives in the form of a powder, in water or in one or more organic or inorganic solvents, preferably organic solvents.

[0052] Examples of organic solvents mentioned above are polar and volatile solvents. Examples include DMF, aliphatic alcohols, and acetonitrile. Acetonitrile is the preferred solvent.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the detection protocol is based on the use of probes in liquid or solid form, respectively impregnated or deposited on a solid support.

[0054] By "solid support" we mean all types of permeable or impermeable supports. This solid support can be based on polymer(s), carbon or not, glass or metallic or inorganic nature.

[0055] Preferably, this solid support may be a carbon polymer support, for example a cellulose membrane.

[0056] In another particular embodiment, the detection protocol is based on the use of the probes in aqueous solution and mixing with the SERS substrate solution.

[0057] By "SERS substrate" we mean substrates that allow for enhanced surface Raman scattering. The SERS substrate can be made from plasmonic materials, for example with noble metals such as gold, silver, or copper.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the plasmonic nano-objects are noble metal plasmonic nano-objects, preferably chosen from noble metal nano-stars, preferably gold nano-stars.

[0059] The SERS substrate solution is preferably prepared by dissolving chloroauric acid HAuCL, silver nitrate AgNCh and ascorbic acid CeHsOe in water.

[0060] According to the invention, the pork sample referred to in step a) above may be the whole carcass or a part directly found on the whole carcass or a part of meat, carcass or adipose (fat) tissue taken from said whole carcass.

[0061] In one embodiment, the detection method is performed on a sample of adipose (fat) tissue taken from a whole carcass.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the pork sample is the entire carcass or a portion directly found on the entire carcass. Preferably, the pork sample is the adipose (fat) tissue directly found on the entire carcass.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the method for gas-phase detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar odor in a pork sample is carried out at room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the gas phase detection method further comprises a heating step, preferably before step a) or at the same time as said step (a), consisting of heating the pork sample by a thermal device which may be powered, for example, by electricity, by a fuel or by an optical source.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the step of heating the pork sample is carried out at a temperature of from 30°C to 300°C, in particular from 50°C to 300°C, preferably from 200°C to 300°C, better still from 200°C to 250°C.

[0066] In a particular embodiment, the detection method according to the invention further comprises a preconcentration step, preferably after or at the same time as the aforementioned heating step, of the vapor of the molecules responsible for boar taint. This step consists of maintaining the heating step of the aforementioned sample for 0 to 5 minutes, preferably between 0 and 1 minute, better between 0 and 30 seconds.

[0067] At the end of the contact step (a), a step of measuring the fluorescence intensity (b) of the probe in the presence of the sample is carried out.

[0068] Generally speaking, the interaction between the probe and the molecules of interest results in a variation in the fluorescence emission of the probe, this variation in fluorescence resulting in a variation in the response of the measuring device.

[0069] Preferably, the fluorescence intensity emitted by the probe is measured by fluorescence spectrometry.

[0070] Generally speaking, the probe as described above is excited by a light source such as, for example, but not limited to, lasers or photodiodes.

[0071] In a particular embodiment, the probe according to the invention is excited by a light-emitting diode, preferably via an optical fiber. The fluorescence emission and its variation as a result of the contact of the probe with the molecules of interest is detected by a detector, such as a photodiode assisted by a monochromator or by a band-pass filter, with or without signal modulation and synchronous detection.

[0072] According to the invention, the excitation source may be monochromatic or polychromatic in nature.

[0073] In a particular embodiment, the polychromatic excitation source is used in the presence of means for controlling the excitation spectrum, for example filters or monochromators.

[0074] In another embodiment, with the spectrofluorometer, a monochromatic beam is used to excite the fluorescence of the probe deposited on the cellulose membrane, contained in a detection cell to allow the transport of the skatole-rich gas phase as well as the optical monitoring of the fluorescence emission. The emission is monitored at a single wavelength, using a monochromator (included in the spectrophotometer).

[0075] Preferably, the excitation and detection wavelengths in this mode of operation are as follows depending on the probe used:

[0076] Rhodamine 101 550 nm, 582 nm

[0077] Eosin Y 520 nm, 552 nm

[0078] Rhodamine B 530 nm, 562 nm

[0079] Rhodamine 6G 530 nm, 550 nm

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the preferred operating conditions for measuring fluorescence variation are: excitation wavelength 530 nm, emission wavelength 550 nm.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the detection method is carried out directly on the entire carcass by placing the measuring device on or in the adipose (fat) tissue of the back of said carcass. Said device comprises at least:

[0082] 1) a heating zone capable of reaching a temperature between 200°C and 300°C, preferably between 200°C and 250°C, enabling the generation of the vapor of the molecules responsible for boar taint, in particular skatole and / or indole.

[0083] 2) a detection zone containing the probe and the elements capable of detecting the variation in the fluorescence intensity produced upon contact between the vapor of the molecules responsible for boar odor and said probe. According to another embodiment, the sample, preferably in the form of a part of carcass, meat, or adipose tissue (fat) taken from the entire carcass, is placed in a sealed measuring cell making it possible to maintain the cellulose membrane containing the probe in a constant position. The fluorescence intensity of said measuring cell at room temperature is monitored by fluorescence spectrometry.

[0084] The intensity value thus obtained (for the probe after contact with the sample) is then compared with the fluorescence intensity of the probe alone, to then deduce whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.

[0085] According to one embodiment, when the value measured in step b) is lower than the value of the fluorescence intensity of the probe alone, the pork sample contains a molecule responsible for boar odor, in particular skatole and / or indole.

[0086] According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, the probe is selected from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101, and is preferably the aforementioned rhodamine 6G.

[0087] The method of the invention can detect skatole alone, or skatole and indole together.

[0088] The present invention also relates to a method for sorting whole male pig carcasses, comprising implementing a method as defined above.

[0089] The present invention also relates to a device for detecting at least one molecule responsible for boar odor comprising at least one probe as defined above, in particular chosen from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

[0090] Preferably, the molecule responsible for boar odor is as defined above, and is in particular indole or skatole, and preferably skatole.

[0091] EXAMPLES Example 1: Measurement of fluorescence quenching in the presence of increasing amounts of skatole and indole

[0092] The cellulose support is cut to the desired shape. In particular, chromatography papers (Whatman, GE Healthcare) were used.

[0093] The membrane (corresponding to the cellulose support) is immersed in a 20 M solution of the desired sensitizer (or probe) in a volatile solvent (which is acetonitrile for the Rhodamine 6G probe and water for Eosin Y) for 30s and then dried under vacuum until the solvent is completely removed.

[0094] The membrane is then placed in a skatole-rich environment, in the gas phase at a level of approximately 20 ppm, and its fluorescence intensity is compared to that of a control, a membrane that has never come into contact with skatole. The decrease in fluorescence emission of membranes that have had contact with the target molecules, evaluated by stationary and time-resolved fluorescence, demonstrates their sensitivity to skatole and indole.

[0095] Example 2: Time-resolved gas-phase fluorescence detection of skatole at room temperature

[0096] The measurement device was first implemented and validated by separating the cell containing the skatole-rich gas phase from the cell containing the sensitive membrane. A pump (ElveFlow) is used to bring the probe and the target molecules into controlled contact, by passing the gas phase through a membrane. After a short delay (between 5-120 s depending on the exact implementation), a clear decrease in fluorescence intensity is measured, indicating that the rate of decrease is proportional to the amount of skatole having crossed the sensitive membrane.

[0097] In this example, a 50% decrease in the fluorescence signal was observed, allowing a detection limit of 0.8 ppm to be established after one minute of exposure.

[0098] Example 3: Gas-phase detection of skatole by fluorescence in a pork fat sample I

[0099] A cellulose strip (Whatman® 1 CHR 87g / m2) measuring 1.5 cm x 5 cm was placed in a solution of Rhodamine 6G (2 10' 5 mol.L' 1 ) in acetonitrile for 30 s. The paper strips are removed from the solution and placed in a crystallizing dish. The crystallizing dish is placed in a desiccator and the whole is subjected to a vacuum of 10' 3 bar for 1 hour.

[0100] The sample is placed in a sealed measuring cell to keep the strip in a constant position. In addition, a gas circulation system is installed on it so that the odorous vapors from the pork fat are in contact with the fluorescent strip.

[0101] Pork fat is heated to a temperature of 220°C for 30 s in a sealed enclosure. The vapors from the heating of the sample are brought into contact with the measuring cell by a peristaltic pump. A 4% decrease in fluorescence intensity is observed after 1 min of exposure.

[0102] Figure 1 shows the change in fluorescence emission intensity following contact with an empty cell (no sample), containing a sample of pork fat with boar taint and a sample of pork fat without boar taint. The shaded area of ​​the figure represents the heating zone at 230°C.

[0103] The curve with the white circles corresponds to a sample of pork fat without boar taint, the curve with the crosses corresponds to a sample of pork fat with boar taint, and the curve with the dots corresponds to an empty cell (without a sample).

[0104] As demonstrated, the detection method according to the invention is a very rapid method and can be used directly on the slaughter line. It can be carried out by a single operator and allows a result to be obtained in less than 10s, or even less than 8s, or better still less than 5s. This method also does not require transcription of the results because it results in automatic transmission of the results.

[0105] This method allows the detection test to be carried out directly on the back fat of the carcass, the measuring probe being inserted on or into the carcass. Advantageously, the method of the invention does not require stopping the slaughter line.

[0106] Example 4: Gas-phase detection of skatole by Raman spectrometry

[0107] 4.1 Sample preparation

[0108] Step 1: Preparation of the gold star nanoparticle solution

[0109] A solution of gold star nanoparticles is prepared by mixing 1 mL milliQ H2O with 36 pL of 8.63 mM gold chloride solution and 2 pL of 10 mM silver nitrate solution. After 10 minutes of vortexing, 6 pL of 100 mM ascorbic acid solution is added. The mixture is homogenized by vortexing for 20 seconds and then centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 20 minutes. 900 pL of supernatant is discarded. The gold star nanoparticles are resuspended in water by vortexing, with a nanoparticle concentration of approximately 3.5 pM (2.5 10 9 nanoparticles / mL).

[0110] Step 2: Sample preparation including the probe alone

[0111] 40 pL of a 5 pM aqueous solution of rhodamine 6G is added to the 30 pL of the gold star nanoparticle solution prepared in step 1. Then 20 pL of this mixture is placed on a glass slide and dried at 100 °C for 2 min.

[0112] Step 3: Sample preparation including probe and skatole vapor

[0113] 40 cm 3 skatole vapor is injected into 80 pL of a 5 pM rhodamine 6G solution. 40 pL of this solution comprising skatole vapor and rhodamine 6G is mixed with 30 pL of the gold star nanoparticle solution prepared in step 1. Then 20 pL of this mixture is deposited on a glass slide and dried at 100°C for 2 min.

[0114] Step 4: Obtaining RAMAN spectra

[0115] Raman spectra are collected through a 40* (NA = 0.6) “Extra Long Working Distance (ELWD) (Nikon Plan Fluor) objective” on a HORIBA JOBIN YVON (HR460) Raman spectrometer.

[0116] The laser excitation wavelength is 633 nm with a spot radius of approximately 2 pm. The laser power focused on the samples is 1 mW and the acquisition time is 5 s over a range of 500 pixels.

[0117] The software used for data acquisition is WinSpec32 (Princeton Instruments).

[0118] For each sample, at least 20 spectra are acquired at different positions (i.e. the spectra are acquired on different nanoparticles).

[0119] To calibrate the sample spectra, the spectrum of liquid cyclohexane (known peaks taken as references) is taken with an acquisition time of 20 s and 3 accumulations. The conversion of pixels to wavenumber (cm -1 ) is performed by a Matlab program.

[0120] 4.2. Result

[0121] Figures 2 a, b and c represent the Raman spectra of Rhodamine 6G probe acquired by the different experiments. As illustrated in Figures 2 a, b and c, it is found that: the peaks noted by the dotted straight lines correspond to the characteristic peaks of Rhodamine 6G probe; the peaks of the Raman spectra of Rhodamine 6G in the presence of skatole vapor (solid line) have higher intensities and are better defined than those in the absence of skatole (dotted line); and the Raman spectra acquired by the different experiments illustrate the similar results.

[0122] These results obtained expressly demonstrate that the probes according to the invention make it possible to detect the presence of skatole molecules by Raman spectrometry. In addition, thanks to the robustness of the method, the results obtained by this detection are reliable.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Use of a probe for the detection of at least one molecule responsible for boar odor, said probe being chosen from sensitizers having a reduction potential in the ground state, E red i / 2 (S / S-), strictly lower than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar taint, and presenting either a reduction potential in the singlet excited state, E s1 re d, strictly greater than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar odor, i.e. a reduction potential in the triplet excited state, E T1 re d, strictly greater than the reduction potential of the molecule responsible for boar taint.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the reduction potential in the singlet excited state, E s1 re d, or the triplet excited state reduction potential, E T1 red, of the sensitizer is comprised from 0.7 V to 2 V, preferably from 0.7 V to 1.7 V, and more preferably from 0.7 V to 1.2 V.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, in which the probe is chosen from rhodamines, xanthenes and tetrazines.

4. Use according to claim 3, wherein the probe is selected from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

5. Use according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the probe is rhodamine 6G or eosin Y.

6. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the molecule responsible for boar odor corresponds to the following formula (II): in which R 1 is H or methyl.

7. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the molecule responsible for boar odor is skatole.

8. Method for detecting at least one molecule responsible for boar taint in a pork sample, said method comprising the following steps: a) bringing a pork sample into contact with a probe as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, and b) measuring the fluorescence intensity or the Raman signal intensity of the probe after step a), c) comparing the value obtained in step b) with the fluorescence intensity or the Raman signal intensity of the probe alone, and d) deducing therefrom whether the pork sample contains at least one molecule responsible for boar taint.

9. Method for detecting at least one molecule responsible for boar taint according to claim 8, in which the pork sample is a sample of meat, carcass or adipose tissue.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the probe is selected from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

11. A method of sorting whole male pig carcasses, comprising implementing a method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the fluorescence intensity is measured by fluorescence spectrometry.

13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the intensity of the Raman signal is measured by Raman spectrometry.

14. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, in which step b) consists of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the probe after step a) and step c) consists of comparing the value obtained in step b) with the fluorescence intensity of the probe alone.

15. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 and 13, in which step b) consists of measuring the intensity of the Raman signal of the probe after step a) and step c) consists of comparing the value obtained in step b) with the intensity of the Raman signal of the probe alone.

16. Device for detecting at least one molecule responsible for boar odor comprising at least one probe as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, preferably chosen from the group consisting of rhodamine 6G, eosin Y, rhodamine B and rhodamine 101.

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