Adulterant is a fraudulent practice by adding a product of lesser value to another product, which is then sold or given for what it is not (eg adding water to milk, or addition of a poor quality oil in olive oil sold as good quality).
Generally speaking about adulteration of food products (oil, coffee, fruit juice, honey, lemon juice, sauces, milk / butter … ), but this word can also designate fraudulent alterations of chemicals (solid , liquid, gas (eg natural gas), fuel such as oil or diesel …)
It may happen that the additive (known adulterant ) is toxic.
Detection
Several methods are used to detect the adulterated product, including
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observation of qualities, taste, microscopic observation
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the analytical chemistry (many methods , including spectroscopy)
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enzymatic analysis
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dosages of hormones, residues (pesticides, medicines, etc.)
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genetic analysis
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observation under UV
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isotopic analysis (which can sometimes identify the precise geographical origin of the product fraudulently added )
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