Allyl isothiocyanate is the major component of the mustard oil.
This molecule can be synthesized
at a much lower price than its cost when extracted from mustard seeds.
Adulteration of natural
mustard oil by adding synthetic allyl isothiocyanate is therefore very
profitable. In order to detect
such a fraud, a new analytical approach has been developed using both
SNIF-NMR (site-specific
natural isotope fractionation studied by nuclear magnetic resonance)
and IRMS (isotopic ratio mass
spectrometry). This approach enables an unambiguous distinction
between natural and synthetic
allyl isothiocyanate. It also makes it possible to identify the
geographical origin of natural mustard
oils. The principle of the interpretation is based on a
multivariate analysis of the isotopic parameters
of allyl isothiocyanate, (D/H)
i
,
δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S, which
provide largely independent information.
The discriminating performances of the different isotopes are
discussed.
Keywords: Allyl isothiocyanate; mustard oil; SNIF-NMR; 13C-,
15N-, 34S-IRMS; authentication;
adulteration; geographical origin