Author(s)

Timothy Wilkes¹, Gavin Nixon¹, Claire Bushell¹, Adrian Waltho², Amer Alroichdi³, Malcolm Burns^1*

¹Science and Innovation, LGC Ltd., Teddington, UK.
²Analytik Ltd., Cambridge, UK.
³Mapping Solutions Ltd., Manchester, UK.

Authentication of pasta is currently determined using molecular biology-based techniques focusing on DNA as the target analyte. Whilst proven to be effective, these approaches can be criticised as being destructive, time consuming, and requiring specialist instrument training. Advances in the field of multispectral imaging (MSI) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have facilitated the development of compact imaging platforms with the capability to rapidly differentiate a range of materials (inclusive of grains and seeds) based on surface colour, texture and chemical composition. This preliminary investigation evaluated the applicability of spectral imaging for identification and quantitation of durum wheat grain samples in relation to pasta authenticity. MSI and HSI were capable of rapidly distinguishing between durum wheat and adulterant common wheat cultivars and assigning percentage adulteration levels characterised by low biases and good repeatability estimates. The results demonstrated the potential for spectral imaging based seed/grain adulteration testing to augment existing standard molecular approaches for food authenticity testing.

Spectral Imaging, Multispectral Imaging, Hyperspectral Imaging, Durum Wheat Authentication, Rapid Non-Destructive Testing, Food Adulteration

Wilkes, T. , Nixon, G. , Bushell, C. , Waltho, A. , Alroichdi, A. and Burns, M. (2016) Feasibility Study for Applying Spectral Imaging for Wheat Grain Authenticity Testing in Pasta. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 7, 355-361. doi: 10.4236/fns.2016.75037.