Non-Targeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis for Food Authenticity: A Comparative Study on Tomato Samples

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Non-targeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a robust analytical tool for food control.
• Standardized procedures are needed for non-targeted NMR approaches.
• Previous studies showed spectral equivalence when one operator prepared samples on different instruments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reproducibility of NMR spectra when different operators prepare samples and perform measurements independently.
• To evaluate the suitability of NMR for food control under inter-laboratory conditions.
• To build and validate a classification model for assessing tomato geographical origin using NMR data.

Main Methods:

• Two independent laboratories prepared 63 tomato samples using an optimized procedure.
• 1D proton (¹H) NMR spectra were recorded using individual laboratory spectrometers.
• A classification model was developed using spectroscopic fingerprint data from both laboratories.

Main Results:

• The study assessed the reproducibility of NMR spectra obtained by different operators in independent laboratories.
• A classification model achieved a 97.62% correct sample classification rate for determining tomato geographical origin.
• Spectroscopic data demonstrated satisfactory performance under varied operational conditions.

Conclusions:

• NMR techniques are suitable for routine food control, demonstrating reproducibility across different operators and independent laboratories.
• The validated classification model supports the use of NMR for geographical origin assessment.
• This work confirms the robustness of non-targeted NMR for reliable food analysis.