Edible poppy seeds may be diluted with poppy seeds that do not meet specifications on alkaloid content (e.g. have not been harvested or washed following specified protocols) or with cheaper species such as sesame or chia. In a recent proof-of-concept study (here – open access) the authors propose a panel of 47 compounds, primarily alkaloids and their metabolites, whose ratios can be used as analytical markers of sophisticated dilution or adulteration. Measurement is by LC-ToF. They compared this favourably with a traditional microscopy approach and validated it with twenty three samples (eight of which were botanically verified) and eight adulterants.
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