Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: An Approach to Detect Adulteration in Turmeric

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the present paper, four turmeric samples, A, B, C, and D, were analyzed using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic (LIBS) technique. Laser-induced breakdown spectra of A, B, and C give the spectral lines of elements such as carbon, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and molecular bands of CN, whereas spectral signatures of the toxic elements lead and chromium are also present in sample D, demonstrating the adulteration in it. Principal component analysis of the LIBS data of the turmeric samples has been used for instant discrimination. The plots and principal components provide clusters belonging to two groups, enabling laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic data along with principal component analysis to be used as an instant monitoring tool.