Making sure spice purity: Complicated tactics for detection of adulterants – Business Information

-By Ashish Agrawal

Spices play a vital role in global cuisine, enhancing their flavour and aromas. However, the increasing economic value associated with these culinary treasures can lead to adulteration, jeopardizing quality and compromise consumer safety. This article delves into advanced techniques that are transforming the detection of adulterants in spices, ensuring their authenticity and protecting public health.
Traditional methods of spice evaluation are only limited to visual inspection and organoleptic testing (taste and smell). While valuable for initial screening, these methods lack sensitivity and precision to identify sophisticated adulteration practices. However, recent advancements in analytical chemistry have thrown light into a powerful arsenal of techniques for safeguarding spice purity.

Chromatographic techniques:

● High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): This technique separates complex mixtures based on their chemical properties. It is particularly effective at isolating and quantifying specific compounds in spices, allowing for the detection of adulterants withdistinct chemical profiles.

Q4 Results 2024 LIVE Updates: NTPC, Hindalco Industries, Ashok Leyland, Glenmark Pharma, Coffee Day Enterprises, more to announce earnings today

Jockey India licensee Page Industries’ Q4 profit rises by 38.1% to Rs 108.20 crore, dividend announced

Suzlon Energy Q4 Results: Profit drops by 20.6% to Rs 254.12 crore, revenue up 29% YoY

Q4 Results 2024 Updates: ITC, Page Industries, Fortis Healthcare, Honasa Consumer, Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts, more to announce earnings today

● Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): GC-MS excels at separating and analyzing volatile compounds. This technique is highly effective for identifying the unique fingerprints of volatile components in spices, enabling the detection of foreign substances introduced through adulteration.

Spectroscopic techniques:

● Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR): NMR presents a detailed picture of a molecule & structure. By comparing the NMR spectra of authentic and potentially adulterated spices, scientists can identify foreign materials based on their distinct structural signatures.

● Near-Infrared (NIR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy: It studies the absorption patterns of infrared light by molecules within the sample. NIR and FTIR offer rapid, non-destructive methods for identifying adulteration by detecting the unique spectral characteristics of adulterants.

DNA-based techniques:

● Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) markers: This technique exploits the inherent variations in a spice’s DNA. RAPD and SCAR markers effectively identify plant-based adulterants in powdered spices, differentiating between authentic spices and foreign materials like dried fruit pulp or nut shells.

Benefits of advanced techniques:

● Specificity and Sensitivity: Advanced techniques offer better accuracy to traditional methods, enabling the detection of adulterants in minute quantities.
● Objectivity: Instrumental analysis offers objective data, eliminating the subjectivity inherent in visual and taste-based assessments.
● Rapid Analysis: Many advanced techniques offer quick turnaround times, facilitating efficient quality control and regulatory enforcement.
● Versatility: These methods can be adapted to a wide range of spices, addressing emerging adulteration practices effectively.
Conclusion:
Advanced analytical techniques enhance the food industry and regulatory bodies to reduce spice adulteration. By leveraging the power of chromatography, spectroscopy, and DNA analysis, stakeholders can ensure the authenticity and safety of the spices that grace our tables.This protects consumers, promotes fair trade practices, and sustains the global spice trade.

Ashish Agrawal, Managing Director, Zoff Foods

(Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.)