Characteristics of array MOS gas sensors in detection of adulteration on patchouli oil with candlenut oil.

The high price of essential oils, especially Patchouli Oil, leads to adulteration by mixing with cheaper oils. The similar color and viscosity make it difficult to be recognized or distinguished by human sensing. In general, a technique for measuring essential oils is to use capillary Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). However, GC/MS is high cost, time-consuming (requires sample preparation), and requires adequate skill. This study aims to determine the characteristics of gas sensors made from Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) which is used to detect adulteration of patchouli oil with candlenut oil. The measurement uses 9 MOS to capture gas/aroma from samples in a chamber. The output of MOS is acquired in a PC. The sample tested is pure Patchouli Oil, pure Candlenut Oil, 1% mixture, 5% mixture, 10% mixture, 15% mixture, and 20% mixture. The mixture is Patchouli Oil with Candlenut Oil. The individual response characteristics and the MOS series were analyzed using box plot graphs and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) respectively. It is found that modulation on MOS led the sensors more sensitive and PCA results showed that the system is adequate to distinguish mixing of in Patchouli Oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]