Researchers Find New Technique to Prevent Olive Oil Fraud
A research team led by chemistry professor Miguel Valcarcel Cases at the University of Córdoba is developing an evaluation model based on ion mobility spectrometry to verify the quality of extra virgin olive oil and prevent fraud. The team from the International Agricultural Excellence Campus (CeiA3) has found that the EMI technique offers a fast and easy way to analyze oil samples, potentially benefiting the olive oil sector by ensuring compliance with standards and reducing economic losses from fraud.
A research team directed by a chemistry professor at the University of Córdoba (UCO), Miguel Valcarcel Cases, is studying an analytical technique to qualify extra virgin olive oil and prevent fraud.
The team from the International Agricultural Excellence Campus (CeiA3) said today in a statement that it has designed an evaluation model based on the technique of ion mobility spectrometry (EMI).
After two years of study, researchers say EMI offers an effective way to ensure that the analyzed juice meets the requirements to be considered and labeled as “extra virgin.”
The technique is presented as a possible system of screening and could be easily used by the olive oil sector since it allows “fast and easy analysis” of oil samples, according to the researchers.
Professor Miguel Valcarcel explained that “EMI could be a technique with good aptitudes for the study of the quality of olive oil samples to avoid an economic loss for producers and current fraud.”
Researchers said that due to the complexity of the chemical composition of the differentextra virgin olive oil samples, they still must investigate further potentials of this technique to complete its power of classification and prediction with 100% certainty so that its use is feasible in agrifood laboratories.
In any case, UCO researchers have highlighted the speed of the EMI technique, because in just 15 minutes it is possible to qualify any sample. Also, EMI does not require sample pretreatment, which further accelerates the process.
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