Discriminative feature analysis of dairy products based on machine learning algorithms and Raman spectroscopy

Discriminant analysis of similar food samples is an important aspect of achieving food quality control. The effective combination of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms has become an extremely attractive approach to develop intelligent discrimination techniques. Feature spectral analysis can help researchers gain a deeper understanding of the data patterns in food quality discrimination. Herein, this work takes the discrimination of three brands of dairy products as an example to investigate the Raman spectral feature based on the support vector machines (SVM), extreme learning machines (ELM) and convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms. The results show that there are certain differences in the optimal spectral feature interval corresponding to different machine learning algorithms. Selecting the appropriate spectral feature interval can maintain high recognition accuracy and improve the computational efficiency of the algorithm. For example, the SVM algorithm has a recognition accuracy of 100% in the 890-980 cm−1, 1410-1500 cm−1 fusion spectral range, which takes about 200 s. The ELM algorithm also has a recognition accuracy of 100% in the 890-980 cm−1, 1410-1500 cm−1 fusion spectral range, which takes less than 0.3 s. The CNN algorithm has a recognition accuracy of 100% in the 890-980 cm−1, 1050-1180 cm−1, 1410-1500 cm−1 fusion spectral range, which takes about 80 s. In addition, by analyzing the distribution of spectral feature intervals based on Euclidean distance, the distribution of experimental samples based on feature spectra is visually displayed. Through the spectral feature analysis process of similar samples, a set of analysis strategies is provided to deeply reveal the data foundation of classification algorithms, which can provide reference for the analysis of relevant discriminative research patterns.