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Adulteration identification in raw milk using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Tatiane Barbosa Coitinho1, Laerte Dagher Cassoli1, Pedro Henrique Ramos Cerqueira2
1Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900 Brazil.
Journal of Food Science and Technology
|July 26, 2017
Summary
This study validates a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method for detecting raw milk adulteration. The optimized FTIR calibration effectively identifies common adulterants like water and cornstarch, offering a reliable solution for the dairy industry.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Milk adulteration is a widespread issue impacting regulatory bodies, the dairy industry, and consumers.
- Current detection methods are often labor-intensive and lack sufficient accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calibrate and validate a compact Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) device, the MilkoScan FT1, for raw milk adulteration monitoring.
- To assess the performance of different calibration models in identifying common milk adulterants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with a compact MilkoScan FT1 equipment.
- Developed and tested 12 calibration models using approximately 2500 reference and 1650 validation milk samples.
- Included common adulterants: cornstarch, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, formaldehyde, saccharose, water, and whey at varying concentrations.
Main Results:
- The optimal calibration model used 14 factors with one outlier elimination.
- This model achieved 84% sensitivity and 100% specificity for simultaneous adulterant detection.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity for specific adulterants: cornstarch (>98%), sodium bicarbonate (100%), sodium citrate (99%), and formaldehyde (>84%).
Conclusions:
- The validated FTIR methodology presents a viable and effective tool for the dairy industry to detect raw milk adulteration.
- The optimized calibration offers robust performance in identifying a range of common adulterants.
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