Nutshell detection in cinnamon powder using a portable NIR spectrometer and hierarchical modelling

Author(s)

Cruz-Tirado, J. P. ; Fossati, Francisco ; Haughey, Simon A. ; Elliott, Christopher T. ; Siche, Raul ; Barbin, Douglas

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis; v. 140, p. 10-pg., 2025-01-14.

Abstract

Cinnamon is a valuable spice susceptible to adulteration with allergenic nutshells, which can compromise food safety. This study aimed to detect peanut, pecan, and walnut shell adulteration in cinnamon powder using a lowcost, portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer and chemometrics. Two cinnamon varieties, Cinnamomum verum and Cinnamomum cassia, were tested with adulteration levels ranging from 1 % to 50 %. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) effectively distinguished pure C. verum and C. cassia, though adulterated samples clustered together. Data-Driven Soft Independent Modelling Class Analogy (DD-SIMCA) achieved high specificity for detecting adulterated C. cassia (SPE = 100 %). However, Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) had lower sensitivity in distinguishing adulteration types, particularly in C. verum mixed with pecan shell (SEN = 50 %) and C. cassia with walnut shell (SEN = 66.7 %). A hierarchical model improved true positive rates (TPR) for C. verum adulterated with pecan shell (TPR = 80 %) and C. cassia with walnut shell (TPR = 83.3 %). These findings demonstrate the potential of portable NIR spectrometry and chemometrics for rapid, non-destructive detection of adulterated cinnamon, supporting food quality and food safety control in the spice industry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/09198-1 - Hyperspectral imaging and artificial intelligence for quality control of protein-based products: isolates, microcapsules and gels
• Grantee: Luis Jam Pier Cruz Tirado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 08/57808-1 - National Institute of Advanced Analytical Science and Technology
• Grantee: Celio Pasquini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50951-4 - INCT 2014: Advanced Analytical Technologies
• Grantee: Celio Pasquini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/24351-2 - Applications of image analyses and NIR spectroscopy for quality assessment and authentication of food products
• Grantee: Douglas Fernandes Barbin
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 23/11773-2 - Insect-based powder detection in plant-based powder foods by spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics
• Grantee: Luis Jam Pier Cruz Tirado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate