Rapid detection of adulteration of milks from different species using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

The aim of the studies reported in the Research Communication was to develop a rapid spectroscopic technique as an alternative method for the classification and discrimination of milk sources by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cow, sheep and water buffalo milk samples were collected from various local milk producers in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition, various brands of packaged milk were purchased locally. Spectrums were obtained according to milk species origin and binary mixtures prepared in increments of 10% (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%) for each sample analysed in FTIR spectroscopy. A successful milk species (cow, sheep, and water buffalo) discrimination and classification were achieved utilising Hierarchical cluster and principle component analyses (PCA) on the basis of Euclidean distance and Ward's algorithm. Amide-I (1700-1600/cm) and Amide-II (1565-1520/cm) spectral bands were used in the chemometric method. The results of the study indicated that adulteration of milk samples can be quantitatively detected by the FTIR technique in a short time with high accuracy. In conclusion, this method could be used as a new alternative technique for routine analysis in authenticity control of milk species origin.

Optimization of production parameters for fabrication of thymol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.

Thymol is the major antimicrobial and bioactive constituent found in thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil. In this study, it was aimed to determine the parameters for fabrication of thymol loaded chitosan nanoparticles with optimum encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, and particle size properties using a two-stage emulsion-ionic gelation approach. For this purpose, temperature (25-45 °C) and chitosan (3-6 mg/mL), thymol (3-6 mg/mL), Tween 80 (3-6 mg/mL) and TPP (0.15-0.75 mg/mL) concentrations were studied as optimization parameters by applying the numerical point prediction method. The results showed that the particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of the chitosan nanoparticles could be controlled by processing conditions. Additionally, this study was focused on optimization of these parameters with factorial design (FD) in nanoencapsulation of Thymol. The optimized production parameters on the basis of the criteria of attaining the minimum particle size, maximum zeta potential, and maximum encapsulation efficiency were 42 °C temperature, chitosan rate 3 mg/mL, Thymol rate 5.9 mg/mL, Tween 80 rate 3 mg/mL and TPP rate 0.75 mg/mL.