Abstract:

In this study, the detection of adulteration in sesame oil was performed using a PEN3 electronic nose system. Sesame oils adulterated with different concentrations of cheaper seed oils such as soybean oil, corn oil and sunflower oil were distinguished. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used. The results showed that the adulteration of sesame oil could be detected effectively and LDA was more competent than PCA. Sesame oils adulterated with soybean oil or corn oil at levels of adulteration exceeding 50% were distinguished easily by PCA and the distinguishable adulteration level for sunflower oil was beyond 70% (V/V). However, LDA could easily distinguish different levels of adulteration with each of the three cheaper seed oils.

Key words: electronic nose, sesame oil, adulteration, detection