Non-Targeted approach for authentication of spices and herbs using GC-Orbitrap MS technology

Description:
Oregano is widely used as an ingredient in a variety of food due to its organoleptic properties. Adulteration of oregano can be accidental or intentional with the latter being price and demand driven. Leaves from other plants are frequently used as adulterants as they are difficult to detect by visual inspection. The addition of impurities reduces the quality of the product and can lead to the introduction of toxic chemicals raising concerns for human health. In this study GC-Orbitrap technology coupled with solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) with Arrow technology was used to assess the volatile profile of intentionally adulterated oregano samples through non targeted data acquisition. Commercially available oregano was purchased at a local retailer and adulterated with marjoram, thyme and olive leaves. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to define unique features contributing to the differences between native and fraudulent oregano. Accurate mass and spectral matching was used to propose compound identity and to increase the certainty of the putative chemical composition additionally, PCI MS/MS experiment were performed to support the proposed formula and to derive structural information.

Speaker: Suresh Seethapathy - Thermo Fisher