Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review

Terahertz spectroscopy (0.1~10 THz), as a new type of non-destructive testing method with both microwave and infrared characteristics, has shown remarkable potential in the field of food quality testing in recent years. Its unique penetration, high sensitivity, and low photon energy characteristics,...

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Main Authors: Jie Yang, Xue Bai, Mingji Wei, Hui Jiang, Leijun Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2199
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author Jie Yang
Xue Bai
Mingji Wei
Hui Jiang
Leijun Xu
author_facet Jie Yang
Xue Bai
Mingji Wei
Hui Jiang
Leijun Xu
author_sort Jie Yang
collection DOAJ
description Terahertz spectroscopy (0.1~10 THz), as a new type of non-destructive testing method with both microwave and infrared characteristics, has shown remarkable potential in the field of food quality testing in recent years. Its unique penetration, high sensitivity, and low photon energy characteristics, combined with chemometrics and machine learning methods, provide an efficient solution for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex food ingredients. In this paper, we systematically review the principles of terahertz spectroscopy and its key applications in food testing, focusing on its research progress in pesticide residues, additives, biotoxins, and mold, adulteration identification, variety identification, and nutrient content detection. By integrating spectral data preprocessing, reconstruction algorithms, and machine learning model optimization strategies, this paper further analyzes the advantages and challenges of this technology in enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency. In addition, combined with the urgent demand for fast and nondestructive technology in the field of food detection, the future development direction of the deep integration of terahertz spectroscopy technology and artificial intelligence is envisioned, with a view to providing theoretical support and technical reference for food safety assurance and nutritional health research.
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spelling doaj-art-d7f15b54a32e4efe831ace221032b1e12025-08-20T03:50:20ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011413219910.3390/foods14132199Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive ReviewJie Yang0Xue Bai1Mingji Wei2Hui Jiang3Leijun Xu4School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaTerahertz spectroscopy (0.1~10 THz), as a new type of non-destructive testing method with both microwave and infrared characteristics, has shown remarkable potential in the field of food quality testing in recent years. Its unique penetration, high sensitivity, and low photon energy characteristics, combined with chemometrics and machine learning methods, provide an efficient solution for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex food ingredients. In this paper, we systematically review the principles of terahertz spectroscopy and its key applications in food testing, focusing on its research progress in pesticide residues, additives, biotoxins, and mold, adulteration identification, variety identification, and nutrient content detection. By integrating spectral data preprocessing, reconstruction algorithms, and machine learning model optimization strategies, this paper further analyzes the advantages and challenges of this technology in enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency. In addition, combined with the urgent demand for fast and nondestructive technology in the field of food detection, the future development direction of the deep integration of terahertz spectroscopy technology and artificial intelligence is envisioned, with a view to providing theoretical support and technical reference for food safety assurance and nutritional health research.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2199terahertz spectroscopyfood safety and qualitynon-destructive testingchemometricsmachine learning
spellingShingle Jie Yang
Xue Bai
Mingji Wei
Hui Jiang
Leijun Xu
Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
Foods
terahertz spectroscopy
food safety and quality
non-destructive testing
chemometrics
machine learning
title Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Terahertz Spectroscopy for Food Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort terahertz spectroscopy for food quality assessment a comprehensive review
topic terahertz spectroscopy
food safety and quality
non-destructive testing
chemometrics
machine learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2199
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AT xuebai terahertzspectroscopyforfoodqualityassessmentacomprehensivereview
AT mingjiwei terahertzspectroscopyforfoodqualityassessmentacomprehensivereview
AT huijiang terahertzspectroscopyforfoodqualityassessmentacomprehensivereview
AT leijunxu terahertzspectroscopyforfoodqualityassessmentacomprehensivereview