Multi-Spectral Techniques for Detecting Adulterants in Turmeric Powder

Turmeric is a widely used spice in the world for both medicinal and culinary purposes. However, intentional adulteration of turmeric with harmful substances has become a significant concern, as it poses serious health risks to consumers. In this study, samples of turmeric were collected from various locations and mixed with Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate adulterant in different ratios (0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) using the w/w method. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet (UV) visible Spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, were utilized to analyse the samples. The FTIR peaks of turmeric were observed at 1630cm-1, 1745cm-1, 2930cm-1, and 3720cm-1, while the Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate peaks were identified at 1060cm-1. Raman peaks were also detected at 250cm-1, 328cm-1, and 420cm-1. Elemental mapping was performed to ensure uniform distribution of the mixture. Principal component analysis and Soft Independent Modelling Class Analogy (SIMCA) models were utilized to determine the boundary between adulterated and unadulterated samples, making this method effective for detecting adulterants in turmeric. The study concludes that these methods can effectively detect the presence of Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate in turmeric powder and ensure the safety and quality.