S75 - Single-sided NMR as a Tool for Non-invasive Oil Classification and Quality Control

NMR-MOUSE relaxation times enable non-invasive identification of oil type, purity, and degradation state/freshness.

Abstract Text:

Accurately tracking freshness and quality of edible oils is key for industrial and commercial success as well as food safety. However, quality control relies on destructive sampling, often accompanied by time-consuming analyses. This work investigates the use of portable single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance as a nondestructive alternative. The mobile universal surface explorer (MOUSE) helped to track oil freshness by measuring the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times through the bottle. 

The MOUSE was able to differentiate across some of the most common edible oils (e.g., avocado, corn, olive, etc.), by showing their characteristic relaxation times. Since measurements can be done in situ and without opening the bottle, the methodology can potentially save time and reduce costs. With the technique being portable, testing can happen in warehouses. Ongoing research focuses on olive oil, as it is heavily regulated under established parameters. The best-quality product is significantly more expensive, and a spoiled batch of high-end oil can have drastic consequences, especially for smaller producers. By enabling producers to track the quality and freshness of the product through sealed containers, they can potentially streamline their quality control.

            Our results demonstrate that NMR-MOUSE relaxation measurements provide a sensitive, accurate, portable, and non-destructive tool for oil classification with broad applications in analytical chemistry and food science.