Rapid detection of Chinese-specific peony seed oil by using confocal Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics.

• The Raman spectra of peony seed oil, a new type of Chinese-specific nut oil, were studied. • The adulteration of peony seed oil was studied by confocal Raman spectroscopy. • Estimatation of the level of adulteration of peony seed oil with chemometrics. • In the paper, rapid and convenient qualitative and quantitative analysis of peony seed oil was realised. Peony seed oil (PSO) is a new woody nut oil which is unique to China. Its unsaturated fatty acids are over 90% and are rich in α - linolenic acid. Although the PSO industry is in its infancy, it is bound to become a top vegetable oil food material because of its own advantages. The potential high commercial profit of its adulteration with cheap vegetable oil will be an important factor hindering the healthy development of PSO industry. It is of great significance to study the adulteration of PSO for preventing large-scale adulteration. In this study, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of PSO was realised based on Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometrics analysis, and the fatty acid composition of PSO was analysed according to Raman characteristic peaks. The technology can be applied to routine analysis and quality control of PSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]