FT-NIR the method of choice to verify the authenticity of extra virgin olive oils

Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy was recently demonstrated to be an excellent method to evaluate the authenticity and adulteration of extra virgin olive oil. Since this method is matrix dependent, it takes a chemical fingerprint of all the components which sets it apart from the targeted methods. Careful examinations of the Fourier transform near infrared spectra lead to the identification of a minor carbonyl overtone absorption at 5269 cm−1 associated with the volatile fraction in extra virgin olive oil that appears to be a reliable indicator of authenticity. The same spectra were used to identify the fatty acids present in the oil using models based on comparison to accurate GC data. Gravimetric mixtures of extra virgin olive oil with refined edible oils were then prepared to develop PLS1 calibration models to identify possible adulterants and by how much. The great varietal difference in olive oils made it necessary to develop four unique sets of PLS1 calibration models for each extra virgin olive oil variety. As a result, an extra virgin olive oil acceptance specification was established.