Detecting Honey Adulteration: Advanced Approach Using UF-GC Coupled with Machine Learning.

Journal: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
PMID:

Abstract

This article introduces a novel approach to detecting honey adulteration by combining ultra-fast gas chromatography (UF-GC) with advanced machine learning techniques. Machine learning models, particularly support vector regression (SVR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were applied to predict adulteration in orange blossom (OB) and sunflower (SF) honeys. The SVR model achieved R values above 0.90 for combined honey types. Treating OB and SF honeys separately resulted in a significant accuracy improvement, with R values exceeding 0.99. LASSO proved especially effective when honey types were treated individually. The integration of UF-GC with machine learning not only provides a reliable method for detecting honey adulteration, but also sets a precedent for future research in the application of this technique to other food products, potentially enhancing food authenticity across the industry.

Authors

  • Irene Punta-Sánchez
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), IVAGRO, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.
  • Tomasz Dymerski
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G, Narutowicza Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
  • José Luis P Calle
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), IVAGRO, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.
  • Ana Ruiz-Rodríguez
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), IVAGRO, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.
  • Marta Ferreiro-González
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), IVAGRO, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.
  • Miguel Palma
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), IVAGRO, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.