Analyzing Mustard Seed Oil Using Advanced Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques

Greg Howard
12th July, 2024

Analyzing Mustard Seed Oil Using Advanced Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering explored microwave pre-treatment to improve mustard oil extraction
  • Microwave pre-treatment significantly increased the amount of oil that could be extracted from mustard seeds
  • Hyperspectral imaging showed high accuracy in predicting oil content and fatty acid composition after microwave treatment
The demand for edible mustard oil often outstrips supply, necessitating innovative methods to enhance oil recovery during mechanical extraction. A recent study conducted by the ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering explores the potential of microwave (MW) pre-treatment to improve the yield of mechanically expressible oil from mustard seeds[1]. This study leverages hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to analyze the spatial distribution of oil within the seeds, with variables such as bed thickness and exposure time. The study addresses a significant problem in the food industry: increasing the efficiency of oil extraction from mustard seeds. Mustard oil is a staple in many diets, but traditional mechanical extraction methods leave a considerable amount of oil unexpressed. Previous research has shown that microwave heating can enhance oil recovery by altering the seed's microstructure. For instance, a study demonstrated that microwave treatment significantly decreased the oil content in rapeseed and mustard seed expeller meals, making more oil available for extraction[2]. In this new study, HSI was used to capture the changes in oil distribution within the mustard seeds after MW pre-treatment. Two spectral ranges were employed: visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR, 400-1000 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1000-1700 nm). The spectral data were analyzed using chemometric techniques like partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and partial least square regression (PLSR) to develop prediction models. The PLS-DA model exhibited a high accuracy in classifying mustard seeds subjected to different MW pre-treatments compared to control samples, achieving 96.6% accuracy with Vis-NIR and 99.5% with SWIR-HSI. This high level of accuracy underscores the effectiveness of MW pre-treatment in altering the oil distribution within the seeds, making it easier to extract mechanically. Moreover, the PLSR model developed with SWIR-HSI spectral data demonstrated a strong predictive capability for oil content and fatty acid components such as oleic acid, erucic acid, saturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with an R² value greater than 0.90. This level of accuracy is comparable to results obtained through conventional analytical techniques. However, the predictions were less accurate (R² > 0.70) when using Vis-NIR spectral data. This study builds on earlier findings that highlight the importance of fatty acids in human health[3]. Fatty acids influence various biological activities, including membrane structure regulation, intracellular signaling, and gene expression. By improving the efficiency of oil extraction, this study not only addresses supply issues but also ensures that the extracted oil retains its beneficial fatty acid profile. The study also touches on the issue of food adulteration, particularly in edible oils, which is a significant concern for food safety[4]. Advanced techniques like HSI and chemometric analysis provide a robust method for ensuring the purity and quality of the extracted oil, potentially reducing the risk of adulteration. In summary, the ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering's study demonstrates that MW pre-treatment combined with HSI and chemometric analysis can significantly enhance the mechanical extraction of mustard oil. This method not only increases oil yield but also ensures the retention of essential fatty acids, addressing both supply issues and health benefits.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) A chemometric approach to assess the oil composition and content of microwave-treated mustard (Brassica juncea) seeds using Vis-NIR-SWIR hyperspectral imaging.

Published 8th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63073-0

Related Studies

2) Effect of microwave treatment on the efficacy of expeller pressing of Brassica napus rapeseed and Brassica juncea mustard seeds.

https://doi.org/10.1021/jf504872x

3) Functional Roles of Fatty Acids and Their Effects on Human Health.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0148607115595980

4) Advanced techniques in edible oil authentication: A systematic review and critical analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1956424


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