A systematic theory of product and diagonal states is developed for tensor products of $mathbb Z_2$-graded $*$-algebras, as well as $mathbb Z_2$-graded $C^*$-algebras. As a preliminary step to achieve this goal, we provide the construction of a {it fermionic $C^*$-tensor product} of $mathbb Z_2$-graded $C^*$-algebras. Twisted duals of positive linear maps between von Neumann algebras are then studied, and applied to solve a positivity problem on the infinite Fermi lattice. Lastly, these results are used to define fermionic detailed balance (which includes the definition for the usual tensor product as a particular case) in general $C^*$-systems with gradation of type $mathbb Z_2$, by viewing such a system as part of a compound system and making use of a diagonal state.
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