QA/QC of tea using the Agilent Cary 630 ATR-FTIR analyzer

Význam tématu

Tea is the world’s second most consumed beverage after water and comprises hundreds of organic compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids and caffeine. Ensuring the authenticity and consistent quality of various tea types and blends is critical for manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Rapid, robust analytical methods for QA/QC help verify raw material identity, detect adulteration and maintain product uniformity across supply chains.

Cíle a přehled studie / článku

This application note demonstrates how the Agilent Cary 630 ATR-FTIR analyzer combined with MicroLab FTIR software can provide a comprehensive molecular fingerprint of tea samples. The study aims to establish a fast, solvent-free procedure for differentiating tea varieties, verifying raw materials prior to blending and performing routine QA/QC measurements with minimal operator training.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

Sample preparation and analysis steps:

• Commercial tea brands were ground to a uniform powder.
• Powdered samples were placed directly onto the diamond ATR crystal of the Cary 630.
• A pressure clamp with slip clutch ensured reproducible contact.
• FTIR spectra were recorded (64 scans at 4 cm⁻¹ resolution) in under 30 seconds.
• Spectra were stored in the MicroLab FTIR database for library building and similarity comparison.

Instrument details:

• Agilent Cary 630 ATR-FTIR analyzer with diamond crystal accessory.
• Portable design (~3 kg) enabling field or dockside use.
• MicroLab FTIR software for automated data acquisition, spectral library management and similarity scoring.

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

The recorded spectra displayed characteristic absorption bands in the regions 3800–2600 cm⁻¹ and 2000–600 cm⁻¹, corresponding to key functional groups of tea constituents (polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, polyphenols and caffeine). Duplicate runs on different days demonstrated high reproducibility, and the MicroLab FTIR software achieved 100% correct identification of tea types against the reference library. Similarity scores and pass/fail thresholds can be defined to support rapid decision-making.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

• Immediate verification of tea authenticity at receiving docks before blending.
• Quality control on the production line and in QC laboratories without need for solvents or extensive sample prep.
• Portable instrumentation allows on-site measurements in storage or processing facilities.
• Minimal training requirement due to user-friendly software and automated library matching.

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Integration of ATR-FTIR spectral libraries with machine learning algorithms could further improve classification accuracy and enable detection of subtle adulterations. Expanding spectral databases to include tea from different geographic regions or harvest seasons will enhance robustness. The same approach may be extended to other food and agricultural products for real-time QA/QC and supply-chain authentication.

Závěr

The Agilent Cary 630 ATR-FTIR analyzer combined with MicroLab FTIR software offers a rapid, cost-effective and portable solution for comprehensive molecular profiling of teas. Its ability to deliver reliable identity checks and quality assessments within seconds supports critical QA/QC workflows and ensures consistent product quality from raw material intake through final blends.

Reference

1. Rodriguez-Saona, L. E. & Allendorf, M. E. Use of FTIR for rapid authentication and detection of adulteration of food. Annu. Rev. Food Sci. Technol. 2, 467–483 (2011).
2. Budίnová, G., Vláčil, D., Mestek, O. & Volka, K. Application of infrared spectroscopy to the assessment of authenticity of tea. Talanta 47, 255–260 (1998).