Detection of Adulteration in Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Based on Arduino with Machine Learning Algorithms through Dielectric Property
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i4.13481Published:
2026-04-25Downloads
Abstract
The mixing of pure coconut oil (VCO) with cheaper vegetable oils has negative impacts on both consumers and producers. This study aims to develop a method for detecting VCO adulteration using an ESP32-based dielectric sensor combined with a Random Forest classification algorithm. The research employed an experimental design using 225 samples, including pure VCO, canola oil, corn oil, and various mixture ratios, each measured with five repetitions. The results show that pure VCO exhibits the highest capacitance values (58.4–62.4 pF), followed by canola oil (44.8–47.8 pF) and corn oil (43.2–46.6 pF), indicating clear differences in dielectric properties related to fatty acid composition. ANOVA analysis confirmed a significant difference between pure VCO and adulterated oils (p < 0.05). The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 53–58% for 15-class classification, while binary classification (pure vs adulterated oil) reached more than 90% accuracy. This finding is discussed in terms of the effectiveness of dielectric sensing combined with machine learning for distinguishing oil authenticity. In conclusion, the proposed system provides a fast, low-cost, mobile, and user-friendly solution for VCO quality monitoring, with potential applications in supply chain control and consumer protection.
Keywords:
Dielectric Sensor Machine Learning VCO adulterationReferences
Airlangga, G. (2024). Analysis of Machine Learning Classifiers for Speaker Identification: A Study on SVM, Random Forest, KNN, and Decision Tree. Journal of Computer Networks, Architecture and High Performance Computing, 6(1), 430–438. https://doi.org/10.47709/cnahpc.v6i1.3487
Amit, Kumari, S., Jamwal, R., Suman, P., & Singh, D. K. (2023). Expeditious and accurate detection of palm oil adulteration in virgin coconut oil by utilizing ATR-FTIR spectroscopy along with chemometrics and regression models. Food Chemistry Advances, 3(November 2022), 100377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2023.100377
Aqeel, M., Sohaib, A., Iqbal, M., Ur, H., & Rustam, F. (2024). Current Research in Food Science Hyperspectral identification of oil adulteration using machine learning techniques. Current Research in Food Science, 8(May), 100773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100773
Barreñada, L., Dhiman, P., Timmerman, D., Boulesteix, A.-L., & Van Calster, B. (2024). Understanding overfitting in random forest for probability estimation: a visualization and simulation study. Diagnostic and Prognostic Research, 8(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41512-024-00177-1
Bhatti, M. H., Jabbar, M. A., Khan, M. A., & Massoud, Y. (2022). applied sciences Low-Cost Microwave Sensor for Characterization and Adulteration Detection in Edible Oil. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178665
Breiman, L. (2001). No Title. 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010933404324
Cristina, M., Lee, H., Braet, J., & Springael, J. (2024). applied sciences Performance Metrics for Multilabel Emotion Classification : Comparing Micro , Macro , and Weighted F1-Scores.
Curve, R. O. C., Of, A., Hybrid, D., Using, D., & Classifiers, M. (2023). ROC CURVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT HYBRID FEATURE DESCRIPTORS USING MULTI CLASSIFIERS. 2, 53–60. https://doi.org/10.11113/aej.v13.18804
Daud, H., Ahmed, S., Kara, H., Tufail, S., Sherazi, H., & Younis, M. (2024). Grain & Oil Science and Technology A review : Health benefits and physicochemical characteristics of blended vegetable oils. Grain & Oil Science and Technology, 7(2), 113–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaost.2024.05.001
De Luca, M., Ioele, G., Grande, F., Occhiuzzi, M. A., Chieffallo, M., Garofalo, A., & Ragno, G. (2023). Multivariate Curve Resolution Methodology Applied to the ATR-FTIR Data for Adulteration Assessment of Virgin Coconut Oil. Molecules, 28(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124661
El-Khalafy, S. H., Hassanein, M. T., Alaskary, M. M., Ramzy, G. H., & Ali, A. I. (2025). Synthesis, characterization, and dielectric properties of bentonite clay modified with (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane and Co(ii) porphyrin complex for technological and electronic device applications. Materials Advances, 6(6), 1931–1949. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ma00982g
Elmosalami, T. A., Kamel, M. M., Tomashchuk, I., Alzaid, M., & Mostafa, M. (2022). Characterization and Modeling Quality Analysis of Edible Oils Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. 2022.
Emilia, I., Putri, Y. P., Novianti, D., & Niarti, M. (2021). Pembuatan Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) dengan Cara Fermentasi di Desa Gunung Megang Kecamatan Gunung Megang Muara Enim. Sainmatika: Jurnal Ilmiah Matematika Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, 18(1), 88. https://doi.org/10.31851/sainmatika.v17i3.5679
Fang, W., Ren, K., Liu, T., Shang, J., Jia, S., & Jiang, X. (2024). An evaluation of random forest based input variable selection methods for one month ahead streamflow forecasting. 1–12. https://doi.org/:10.1038/s41598-024-81502-y
Fatimah, F., & Sangi, M. E. C. (2010). Kualitas Pemurnian Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Menggunakan Beberapa Adsorben. Chemistry Progress, 3(2), 65–69.
Gandhi, K., Sharma, R., Seth, R., & Mann, B. (2022). Detection of coconut oil in ghee using ATR-FTIR and chemometrics. Applied Food Research, 2(1), 100035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afres.2021.100035
Hamza, M., & Mahmoud, Y. (2026). Garage-Fabricated, Ultrasensitive Capacitive Humidity Sensor Based on Tissue Paper.
Havran, P., Cimbala, R., Kurimsk, J., & Kir, J. (2022). Dielectric Properties of Electrical Insulating Liquids for High Voltage Electric Devices in a Time-Varying Electric Field. 14–16.
Hwang, J., Choi, K. O., Jeong, S., & Lee, S. (2024). Machine learning identification of edible vegetable oils from fatty acid compositions and hyperspectral images. Current Research in Food Science, 8(December 2023), 100742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100742
Id, J. L. (2024). Area under the ROC Curve has the most consistent evaluation for binary classification. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316019
Jermwongruttanachai, P., Pathaveerat, S., & Noypitak, S. (2024). Quantification of the adulteration concentration of palm kernel oil in virgin coconut oil using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 23(1), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2023.08.002
Luiz, S., Jr, S., Paiter, L., Galvão, J. R., Roque, D. V., & Chaves, E. S. (2015). Sensor and Methodology for Dielectric Analysis of Vegetal Oils Submitted to Thermal Stress. 26457–26477. https://doi.org/10.3390/s151026457
Magdas, D. A., Hategan, A. R., David, M., & Berghian-grosan, C. (2025). The Journey of Artificial Intelligence in Food Authentication : From Label Attribute to Fraud Detection. 1–31.
Matlala, L., Bokaba, T., Ndayizigamiye, P., Mhlongo, S., Dogo, E., & Dogo, E. (2026). A comparative analysis of ensemble learning models for predicting lapses in investment policies. Journal of Management Analytics, 13(1), 109–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/23270012.2025.2574030
Mb, C., Hebbar, K. B., Ramesh, S. V, Venkatesh, J., Chikkanna, G. S., Prasad, B. N. M., & Harish, B. S. (2022). Detection of oil adulteration in virgin coconut oil ( VCO ) through physical characterization. October.
Mishra, V., Pratap, S., Singh, M., Singh, V., & Manohar, R. (2024). Heliyon Optical , rheological , and dielectric properties of coconut oil between 100 kHz and 30 MHz. Heliyon, 10(14), e34565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34565
Mustapha, A., Ishak, I., Zaki, N. N. M., Ismail-Fitry, M. R., Arshad, S., & Sazili, A. Q. (2024). Application of machine learning approach on halal meat authentication principle, challenges, and prospects: A review. Heliyon, 10(12), e32189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32189
Neves, M. D. G., & Poppi, R. J. (2020). Authentication and identification of adulterants in virgin coconut oil using ATR/FTIR in tandem with DD-SIMCA one class modeling. Talanta, 219(May). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121338
Nisa, N. H., Masithoh, R. E., Fahri, M., Pahlawan, R., & Wati, A. T. (2025). Application of machine learning and deep learning to detect adulteration in food flour based on spectroscopy data : a systematic review. 01005. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202519201005
Othman, S., Mavani, N. R., Hussain, M. A., Rahman, N. A., & Mohd Ali, J. (2023). Artificial intelligence-based techniques for adulteration and defect detections in food and agricultural industry: A review. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 12(April), 100590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100590
Perera, D. N., Hewavitharana, G. G., & Navaratne, S. B. (2020). Determination of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Coconut Oil by Incorporating Bioactive Compounds in Selected Spices. 2020.
Piras, C., Hale, O. J., Reynolds, C. K., Jones, A. K., Taylor, N., Morris, M., & Cramer, R. (2021). Speciation and milk adulteration analysis by rapid ambient liquid MALDI mass spectrometry profiling using machine learning. Scientific Reports, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82846-5
Pratiwi, I., & Yunus, M. (2018). Pemisahan Asam Laurat dari Virgin Coconut Oil ( VCO ) dengan Metode Saponifikasi dan Sonikasi. 2(1), 235–239. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8853940
Putra, V. G. V., Ngadiono, & Purnomosari, E. (2016). Pengantar Listrik Magnet dan Terapannya. http://www.buku-e.lipi.go.id/penulis/drva001/1533693237buku.pdf
Riyanto, S., Sitanggang, I. S., Djatna, T., & Atikah, T. D. (2023). Comparative Analysis using Various Performance Metrics in Imbalanced Data for Multi-class Text Classification. 14(6). https://doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2023.01406116
Romero, M., Yuste, S., Ludwig, I., Pedret, A., Jos, M., Maria, R., Salamanca, P., Sol, R., & Rubi, L. (2022). Phenol metabolic fingerprint and selection of intake biomarkers after acute and sustained consumption of red-fleshed apple versus common apple in humans . The AppleCOR study. 384(February). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132612
Roni, K. A., Rifdah, R., Melani, A., Amina Reformis I, A., & Sri, S. M. (2022). Making Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) With Enzymatic Method Using Pineapple Hump Extract. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 3(3), 685–689. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v3i3.516
Sabnis, S. M., Rander, D. N., Kanse, K. S., Joshi, Y. S., & Kumbharkhane, A. C. (2024). Spectroscopic measurement and dielectric relaxation study of vegetable oils. Information Processing in Agriculture, 11(3), 397–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa.2023.04.002
Sairin, M. A., Abd, S., Id, A., Mun, C. Y., Khaled, Y., Zaman, F., & Id, R. (2022). Analysis and prediction of the major fatty acids in vegetable oils using dielectric spectroscopy at 5 – 30 MHz. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268827
Ströher, D. J., De Oliveira, M. F., Martinez-Oliveira, P., Pilar, B. C., Cattelan, M. D. P., Rodrigues, E., Bertolin, K., Gonçalves, P. B. D., Piccoli, J. D. C. E., & Manfredini, V. (2020). Virgin Coconut Oil Associated with High-Fat Diet Induces Metabolic Dysfunctions, Adipose Inflammation, and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation. Journal of Medicinal Food, 23(7), 689–698. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2019.0172
Sudhakar, A., & Kumar, S. (2023). Understanding the variations in dielectric properties of mustard ( Brassica nigra L .) and argemone ( Argemone mexicana ) oil blends at different temperatures. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 60(2), 643–653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-022-05649-0
Valantina, S. R., Angeline, D. R. P., Uma, S., & Prakash, B. G. J. (2017). PT SC. Journal of Molecular Liquids. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2017.04.107
Wibisono, A., Sumarno, T., Kunarto, B., & Sani, E. Y. (2021). Pengaruh lama penyeduhan teh hijau (Camellia sinensis L.) berbantu gelombang ultrasonik terhadap aktivitas antioksidan. Jurnal Mahasiswa Food Tech. Agr. Product, Universitas Semarang. Repository Universitas Semarang, 5(3), 55–60. http://www.tjyybjb.ac.cn/CN/article/downloadArticleFile.do?attachType=PDF&id=9987
Wijayono, A., & Putra, V. G. V. (2020). Pengukuran Konstanta Dielektrik Udara Pada Perangkat Kapasitor Plat-Sejajar Berbasis Mikrokontroler Arduino Uno. JIPFRI (Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Fisika Dan Riset Ilmiah), 4(1), 13–26. https://doi.org/10.30599/jipfri.v4i1.651
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yustina Yeyen, Maria Yunita, Yohanes Eudes Debrito, Lusitania Floribunda Mele, Yohanes Maria Vianney

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).






