Spectral Similarity Score (SSS)-Barcoding for the Quality Control of LACTEM Emulsifiers by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography

LACTEM emulsifiers are widely applied in the food industry to adjust and improve techno-functional properties of food products. The study introduces a high-performance thin-layer chromatography–fluorescence detection (HPTLC–FLD) fingerprint method for the similarity assessment of these emulsifiers using a straightforward barcoding approach based on the concept of spectral similarity scores (SSS), referred to as SSS-barcoding. Analysis of 21 LACTEM emulsifiers showed similarities between two emulsifiers as low as 67%, despite the same product labeling. The method also revealed batch-to-batch variability. Limitations were identified when applying the method to fatty matrices. Finally, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was applied as a proof-of-concept to predict the techno-functional properties of aerosol whipping cream, such as drainage, apparent viscosity, foam firmness, particle size (D90,3), and overrun, from the densitometric data.