Principal Component Analysis: A Powerful Interpretative Tool at the Service of Analytical Methodology

Abstract

An important application of PCA consists of the characterization and subsequent differentiation of products in relation to their origin (known as traceability). PCA is often applied in order to characterize some products obtained via a manufacturing process and the transformation of some raw materials. In this case, there are two kinds of elements linkable to the differentiation of products in relation to their origin: the variability associated to the raw material and the differences in various production techniques used around the world. In this study, two examples of PCA application to some products obtained via a manufacturing process are presented. These products, belonging to completely different fields (foodstuffs and petroleum based fuel) show one element in common: their traceability is correlated to the raw material and the production process.