The potential of e-nose aroma profiling for identifying the geographical origin of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) roots

• Published in: Food chemistry Vol. 165; pp. 467 - 474
• Main Authors: Russo, Mariateresa, Serra, Demetrio, Suraci, Francesca, Di Sanzo, Rosa, Fuda, Salvatore, Postorino, Santo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier 15.12.2014
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; chemical composition; China; data collection; discriminant analysis; Electronic Nose; Food toxicology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; General pharmacology; Glycyrrhiza - chemistry; Glycyrrhiza glabra; headspace analysis; Iran; Italy; licorice; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; multivariate analysis; odors; Olfactory system and olfaction. Gustatory system and gustation; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant Roots - chemistry; provenance; roots; semiconductors; Sicily; Smell; Toxicology; Turkey (country); Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Sicily; Italy; Iran; Turkey (country); China; Artificial olfactory system; Semiconductor materials; HS-SPME/GC-MS; Root; Geographical origin; Oxides; Licorice; Metal; Glycyrrhiza glabra L; Olfactory system; Medicinal plant; Plant part; Glycyrrhiza glabra; Nose; Plant origin; E-nose; Metal oxide semiconductor; Aroma; HS-SPME/GC–MS
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.142

Licorice roots cultivated commercially in distinct geographical areas such as China, Iran, Italy (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily) and Turkey were classified using an artificial olfactive system (e-nose) based on metal oxide semiconductor sensors (MOS). The resultant instrumental data were processed using a multivariate statistical analysis method in order to classify the raw samples according to its origin. The e-nose odourprintings were obtained by a canonical discriminant analysis carried out with the aim of relating the specific data-sets corresponding to whole licorice roots aroma with the e-nose reference dataset. E-nose results were compared to those obtained by SPME/GC-MS. The HS-SPME/GC/MS analysis was used as a control system to check for the actual existence of differences in the chemical composition of sample headspace. These results imply the possibility to use an electronic nose as a tool for a quick, effective and non-destructive authentication of licorice roots.