# R&D RADIO: Oil Analytics, Seed Oils and Adulterated Avocado Oil with Dr. Selina Wang of UC Davis

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-10-12
- Length: 29m
- Episode: 385
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-12-r-d-radio-oil-analytics-seed-oils-and-adulterated-avocado-oil-with-dr-selina-wan
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/0d4a6469

## Summary

Dr. Selina Wang, Faculty Director of the UC Davis Olive Center, explains how her lab’s studies revealed that many commercial avocado oils and finished products like chips and mayonnaise are adulterated with cheaper oils like soybean or high-oleic sunflower oil. She details the chemical forensic methods, specifically analyzing fatty acid and sterol fingerprints, required to detect these substitutions that simple fatty acid testing might miss. Wang advises brands to test both fatty acids and sterols and to treat suspiciously low prices as a major red flag for potential fraud.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Dr. Selina Wang and UC Davis Olive Center
2. Olive Oil History and the Definition of Seed Oils
3. The Three Avocado Oil Studies: Bottled, Private Label, and Finished Goods
4. Extracting Oil from Chips and Dressings for Analysis
5. Forensic Chemistry: Fatty Acids, Sterols, and Adulteration Detection
6. Supplier Fraud, Certificates of Analysis, and Branding Risks
7. Avocado Oil Quality Workshop and Practical Advice for Brands

## Topics

- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- UC Davis (company)
- UC Davis Olive Center (company)
- UC Food Quality Lab (company)
- Avocado Oil Quality and Authenticity Workshop (product)

## Citing this page

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