Emerging trends in the detection of adulteration in pulses: from phenotypic traits to imaging and molecular tools – a systematic review

Abstract

Pulses (dals) are valued worldwide due to their high nutritional content and eco-sustainability, making them an essential component of human diets. However, adulteration increasingly compromises their quality and safety by reducing their nutritional value and posing serious health risks, thereby undermining consumer trust and public health. This review provides an overview of traditional adulteration detection methods, including visual inspection and chemical tests, which are often limited by subjectivity and labor-intensive procedures. These limitations have driven the development of modern, non-destructive analytical and advanced technologies, including NIRS, FTIR spectroscopy, TLC, DNA barcoding, electrophoresis, hyperspectral imaging, image processing, computer vision, and X-ray imaging, which offer improved accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. The significance of both qualitative and quantitative approaches is explored, with a particular emphasis on measurable traits such as size, shape, color, and texture, which can be effectively analyzed using image processing and machine learning techniques for more accurate assessments. Furthermore, the role of regulatory frameworks, including FSSAI, UK-FSA, EFSA, and US-FDA standards, in establishing safe limits for contaminants is highlighted. A combined application of low-cost tools and advanced technologies is recommended to improve adulteration detection strategies and ensure public confidence in the quality and safety of pulses.