In one of a series of experiments in the early 1990s, Talou buried samples of the synthetic aroma at various points under an oak tree, real truffles at other points, and samples of androstenol at still others. He found that pigs ignored the androstenol. Their hunger seems not to be sexual in nature. All pigs, male and female, love to eat truffles, and that is one reason pigs are falling out of favor at harvest time. Also, it is not easy to transport a pig.
Dogs are less voracious but often less efficient.
For years now Talou has been trying to develop an electronic truffle detector, and next month he will be testing his latest model. At its heart is a microchip bearing tiny squares of a conducting polymer whose resistance to an electric current is altered when it comes into contact with truffle volatiles. Fioc is an unlikely customer. His dogs can smell pea-sized truffles under a foot of dirt. It doesn't spoil Fioc's day.