Detection of synthetic components in food matrices using piezoelectric resonators

The adsorption of a mixture of volatile components from the vapor phase of synthetic flavoring agents on thin adsorbent films was studied using piezoelectric quartz microweighing. Conventional gas-chromatographic adsorbents and specific films of different nature were used as adsorbents. It was shown that synthetic flavoring agents, including those used in the production of foodstuffs, can be identified and their quality can be assessed. The use of an array of piezoelectric quartz microbalances with various films allowed the slightest changes in the composition of the equilibrium vapor phase of synthetic flavoring agents to be recorded. An algorithm using a universal database on piezoelectric quartz microweighing of flavoring agent vapors was proposed for detecting them in food products and revealing adulterations.