Real-Time Authentication of Food and Beverages Using DART QDa LiveID Analysis

Significance of the Topic

Rapid and reliable authentication of food and beverages is critical to combat food fraud, protect supply chain integrity and ensure consumer safety. High-value items such as premium whisky, specialty oils and spices are vulnerable to adulteration. Techniques enabling minimal sample preparation and real-time screening address industry needs for efficient quality control and regulatory compliance.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) coupled with a single quadrupole mass detector (QDa) and LiveID chemometric software for rapid screening of high-value food and beverage samples. Models were developed using authentic references of whisky, palm oil and cinnamon to detect adulteration, production method differences and geographical origin variations.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• DART Source with QuickStrip rail module for semi-automated sample introduction and helium gas flow at 1.5 L/min.
• QDa single quadrupole operated in full scan mode at 2 Hz scan rate; parameters optimized per sample type (helium temperature, polarity, mass range, cone voltage).
• Samples: direct spotting for whisky and spices; palm oil diluted in dichloromethane.
• Data processing: LiveID 1.2 software employing PCA and LDA for multivariate model generation and classification.

Main Results and Discussion

• Palm Oil Profiling: Clear separation between crude, refined and sustainably produced oils in the m/z 220–950 range. Variance driven chiefly by diglyceride species (m/z 550–600), demonstrating robust classification.
• Whisky Adulteration: Models built from authentic and adulterated brands across three days achieved 100% correct classification in leave-one-group-out validation and successful real-time unknown sample recognition.
• Cinnamon Authenticity: Differentiation between Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) and C. cassia based on ratios of cinnamaldehyde (m/z 133) and coumarin (m/z 147). Adulteration detectable at levels as low as 10% cassia.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid screening with minimal or no sample preparation and no chromatographic separation.
• Real-time decision support for quality assurance, process control and fraud detection.
• Customizable chemometric models enable versatile deployment across diverse product types and adulteration scenarios.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Exploration of DART QDa LiveID for additional food matrices, integration with cloud-based AI platforms for model sharing, development of portable ambient MS devices, expansion of spectral libraries and enhanced sensitivity for trace-level detection are anticipated to drive broader adoption in food and beverage analytics.

Conclusion

DART QDa LiveID demonstrates a powerful approach for real-time authentication of premium food and beverage products. Its minimal sample preparation, speed and robust chemometric classification support effective monitoring of product authenticity, production methods and fraud prevention.

References

• Stead S., Jandova R., Organtini K., Douce D., Kirk J. Real-Time Authentication of Food and Beverages Using DART QDa LiveID Analysis. Waters Corporation; 2017.