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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242097

Title: Nondestructive Analysis of Phytochemical Components by Near Infared (NIR) Spectroscopy: Measurement of Rosmarinic Acid in Prunella Vulgaris

Author
item Berhow, Mark
item Tisserat, Brent
item Duval, Sandra
item Widrlechner, Mark
item Gardner, Candice

Submitted to: Phytochemical Society of North America Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2009
Publication Date: 8/8/2009
Citation: Berhow, M.A., Tisserat, B., Duval, S.M., Widrlechner, M.P., Gardner, C.A. 2009. Nondestructive Analysis of Phytochemical Components by Near Infared (NIR) Spectroscopy: Measurement of Rosmarinic Acid in Prunella Vulgaris. Phytochemical Society of North America Proceedings. p. 34.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: NIR spectroscopy has developed into a rapid nondestructive method to analyze, in a single event, an increasingly complex number of general and specific components in solid and liquid samples, including dissolved solids, acids, density, pH, microbial contamination, and percent oil, carbohydrate, protein, and moisture, as well as to determine concentrations of specific chemical components. The advent of rapid computer programs that utilize complex mathematical calculations, including Fourier transformation, has allowed for the computation of relationships between variation of multiple parameters and corresponding NIR spectra. In addition, the long path lengths in NIR spectroscopy allow for sampling through glass and plastic, making NIR an even more efficient measuring process. When coordinated with proven chemical and physical analytical methods, the results of these standard chemical analyses can be translated into reliable NIR spectrometric calibrations. We have developed methods to measure the levels of the phenolic phytochemical rosmarinic acid in dried leaf powders of Mentha and Prunella. The poster will discuss the extension of this methodology to rapidly measure a variety of phytochemical components in plant tissues and seeds. The long-term goal of this research is to provide rapid, large-scale analytical assessment of sample composition and nondestructively assess seed-compositional components for selection in breeding programs.