FOOD and drink inspectors have discovered a new way to track down adulterated orange juice. Scientists at the Leatherhead Food Research Association in Surrey will soon arm the authorities with a technique for determining whether pulp and peel by-products have been added to "pure" juice.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food funded the association's investigation into a technique called high-performance anion exchange chromatography. They have found that HPAEC can detect telltale compounds that are present at higher concentrations in orange juice that has been adulterated.
Orange juice can only be called pure if it comes from the central, fleshy part of the fruit known as the endocarp. But some fraudsters add peel extract and pulp wash to bulk up their products. When the juice is extracted, the cell walls and pith are separated in a centrifuge. This pulp contains sugars, acids and minerals that can be washed out and ...
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