OPTICAL SENSING TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTING EDIBLE OIL ADULTERATION: AN OVERVIEW

Authors

  • Nur Ain Amila Rizal Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Educational Hub, 84600, Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia
  • Nurul Nadia Adnan Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Photonics Devices and Sensor Research (PDSR), Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh, Educational Hub, 84600, Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1109-0983 (unauthenticated)
  • Farah Diana Muhammad Universiti Putra Malaysia image/svg+xml , Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5484-5792 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jurnalteknologi.v88.24369

Keywords:

Optical sensing, techniques, edible oils, adulteration

Abstract

Edible oil adulteration significantly challenges food safety, nutritional quality, and consumer trust. This review explores the advancements in detection technologies, focusing on highly sensitive methods such as spectroscopy-based methods (UV-VIS, NIR, Raman, SERS), fluorescence-based methods, optical fiber sensors, and colorimetric approaches. These innovations leverage nanotechnology in optical sensing to improve the accuracy, sensitivity, and real-time applicability of adulteration detection. Spectroscopy methods like Raman and NIR offer molecular fingerprinting, while portable fluorescence and colorimetric systems provide cost-effective, on-site solutions. Despite these advances, challenges such as method standardization, affordability, and compatibility with diverse adulterants remain. The review underscores the critical role of integrating advanced sensing technologies to ensure food authenticity, enhance consumer protection, and uphold industry standards.

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Published

2026-08-29

Issue

Vol. 88 No. 5: September 2026

Section

Science and Engineering

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