Carob Origin Classification by FTIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

The goal of this study was to use Fourier transform mid-infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy for discrimination of samples of pods and seeds of carob from three Moroccan regions. The origin of samples Pods and seeds of carob could be distinguished from their IR spectra and this measurement was used for discriminate analysis. A multivariate analysis procedure based on the combined use of Hierarchical Cluster Aanalysis （HCA） and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis （PLS-DA） was tested and provided good classification results. Three distinctive clusters were recognised, related to the three Moroccan regions. Afterwards, PLS-DA was used for the discrimination and classification of the origin of the various Pods and seeds of carob samples. The results demonstrated that the combined use of FTIR and chemometric analysis （cluster analysis and discrimination by PLS- DA） can be used to rapidly and simply determine the origin of carob pulpe samples.