Authentication of Eucommia ulmoides Seed Oil Using Fourier Transform Infrared and Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics

Abstract: Eucommia ulmoides is a traditional Chinese herb whose seeds can be used to produce edible oils. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic (SyFS) spectra of Eucommia ulmoides seed oil (EUSO) are lacking. The relevant functional and fluorescent groups were determined by FTIR and SyFS techniques for discriminating adulteration of EUSO, respectively. FTIR and SyFS spectra of EUSO and six common-used vegetable oils were recorded from 4000-400 cm-1 and 250-700 nm at wavelength interval of 60 nm, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), cluster analysis (CA) and partial least square (PLS) regression was used for qualitative and quantitative calibration of EUSO adulteration. The FTIR spectral regions of 1429-1377 cm-1 and 1128-1110 cm-1 based on PCA, LDA, and CA, and the PCA of SyFS spectral regions of 600-700 nm and 300-500 nm were evaluated for qualitative differentiation of EUSO adulteration. The recognition rate of PCA validation was found to be 100% by FTIR regions. PLS calibration was optimal by the spectral normalization vector treatment in the two FTIR spectral regions and SyFS spectra were combined with characteristic absorption peak area, which can achieve quantitative detection of EUSO adulteration. The two techniques are useful for EUSO adulteration detection at levels down to 1% and 0.48% (w/w), respectively. The results indicated that spectral information obtained by FTIR and SyFS of EUSO can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of EUSO adulteration with the advantages of high sensitivity, simplicity, and rapidness.