Preparation and Performance Analysis of Mg0.75Co0.15Ni0.1Fe2O4 Nanoparticle-Based Flexible Metamaterial for Honey Adulteration Detection

The widespread issue of honey adulteration poses significant health risks and economic losses, necessitating more efficient and reliable detection methods. Traditional techniques are often time-consuming, expensive, and require sophisticated equipment. Moreover, the substrates traditionally used in metamaterial-based sensors present challenges such as rigidity, limited sensitivity, and selectivity. This study aims to address this problem by preparing Mg0.75Co0.15Ni0.1Fe2O4 nanoparticles and evaluating their performance in a flexible metamaterial sensor for honey adulteration detection. The dielectric property of the substrate is measured using a dielectric assessment kit (DAK)-3.5, with dielectric constants found to be 1.71. The proposed sensor fabricated on a Mg-Co ferrite substrate with a modified maze-shaped structure. The metamaterial exhibits $\mu $ -negative characteristics within the frequency range of 7.6–8 GHz both simulated and measured, making it suitable for sensing applications. To optimize sensor performance, a circuit model is developed in Advanced Design System (ADS) and verified with CST microwave studio simulations, showing improved real-time efficiency. The sensor’s performance is evaluated using pure honey and honey adulterated with 5% and 10% saccharine and sugar. The dielectric constant increased with adulterant concentration, from 12.5 for pure honey to 15 for honey with 10% saccharine. The corresponding resonant frequency shifts increased from 230 to 480 MHz. Sensitivity ranged from 20 to 60 MHz/adulterant both simulated and measured. The relative error between simulated and measured data remained below 0.4%, confirming the sensor’s accuracy. The linear relationship between the effective dielectric constant and the resonant frequency shift, documented in the study’s figures, demonstrates a predictable method to determine honey adulteration levels, enhancing the practical applicability of this sensor in industrial food quality control.