Chang Shuyi, Yin Chengcheng, Liang Sha, Lu Mei, Wang Ping, Li Zhicheng
College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, PR China.
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1901 N21st Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, USA.
Anal Methods. 2020 May 21;12(19):2469-2475. doi: 10.1039/d0ay00375a.
In this study, a near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy fingerprinting method coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) was developed for the confirmation of brand identification in infant formulas. The NIR spectroscopy fingerprints of the Brand A infant formula were acquired in 12 000-4000 cm-1 at a sample temperature of 20 °C without pressing the sample. The contents of major nutrients of Stage 1, 2, and 3 infant formulas were compared within Brand A. The NIR spectroscopy fingerprints of Brand A Stage 1 samples were compared with those of four other brand-named Stage 1 samples, whereas the fingerprints of Brand A Stage 2 and 3 were compared with those of two of the four brands, to distinguish the differences between brands. The NIR spectroscopy fingerprinting results showed that the Brand A formula can be completely differentiated from the other brands at each stage. The combination of NIR spectroscopy fingerprinting and PCA is an effective method for the purpose of confirmation of brand identification and brand protection in infant formulas.
