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Title: Development of Simple Algorithms in Direct, Non-destructive, and Rapid Determination of Cotton Fiber Maturity from FT-IR/ATR Spectroscopy

Author
item Liu, Yongliang
item Thibodeaux, Devron
item Gamble, Gary

Submitted to: International Conference on Vibrational Spectroscopy
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2011
Publication Date: 5/31/2011
Citation: Liu, Y., Thibodeaux, D.P., Gamble, G.R. 2011. Development of Simple Algorithms in Direct, Non-destructive, and Rapid Determination of Cotton Fiber Maturity from FT-IR/ATR Spectroscopy. International Conference on Vibrational Spectroscopy. 374:146.

Interpretive Summary: The impact of cotton maturity on cotton fiber quality and finished textile products has been a major concern for cotton growers and textile manufacturers over many years. Immature fibers, which have little secondary cell wall thickening relative to fiber perimeter, were found to be prone to entanglement formation during the mechanical processing and also to alter the desired color appearance in dyed yarn and fabric. Textile testing companies and regulatory organizations have established a number of microscopic and instrumental devices for measuring the cotton fiber maturity in direct and indirect ways. In general, these methods require a large number of samples (> 0.5 g), utilize air-flow measurements and a theoretical approach, and depend on fiber maturity reference (that a procedure is very subjective and is difficult to access the degree of maturity) for the accuracy. In this study, FT-IR/ATR spectra were collected over a much diversified seed and lint cotton fibers. Spectral features of immature and mature cottons revealed large differences in the 1200-900 cm-1 IR region, and such spectral distinctions formed the basis on which to develop simple three-band ratio algorithm for classifying mature fibers from immature ones. Next, an additional formula was created to assess the degree of cotton fiber maturity by converting the three-band ratios into an appropriate FT-IR maturity (MIR) index. Furthermore, the MIR index was compared with parameters derived from traditional image analysis (IA) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS) measurements. Results indicated strong correlations (R2 > 0.89) between MIR and MAFIS and between MIR and MIA among either International Cotton Calibration (ICC) standards or selected cotton maturity references. On the other hand, low correlations between the pairs were observed among regular cotton fibers, which likely resulted from the heterogeneous distribution of structural, physical, and chemical characteristics in cotton fibers and subsequent different sampling specimens for individual and independent measurement.

Technical Abstract: FT-IR/ATR spectra of seed and lint cottons were collected to explore the potential for the discrimination of immature cottons from mature ones and also for the determination of actual cotton maturity. Spectral features of immature and mature cottons revealed large differences in the 1200-900 cm-1 region, and such spectral distinctions formed the basis on which to develop simple three-band ratio algorithm for classification analysis. Next, an additional formula was created to assess the degree of cotton fiber maturity by converting the three-band ratios into an appropriate FT-IR maturity (MIR) index. Furthermore, the MIR index was compared with parameters derived from traditional image analysis (MIA) and AFIS (MAFIS) module. Results indicated strong correlations (R2 > 0.89) between MIR and MAFIS and between MIR and MIA among either International Cotton Calibration (ICC) standards or selected cotton maturity references. On the other hand, low correlations between the pairs were observed among regular cotton fibers, which likely resulted from the heterogeneous distribution of structural, physical, and chemical characteristics in cotton fibers and subsequent different sampling specimens for individual and independent measurementFT-IR/ATR spectra of seed and lint cottons were collected to explore the potential for the discrimination of immature cottons from mature ones and also for the determination of actual cotton maturity. Spectral features of immature and mature cottons revealed large differences in the 1200-900 cm-1 region, and such spectral distinctions formed the basis on which to develop simple three-band ratio algorithm for classification analysis. Next, an additional formula was created to assess the degree of cotton fiber maturity by converting the three-band ratios into an appropriate FT-IR maturity (MIR) index. Furthermore, the MIR index was compared with parameters derived from traditional image analysis (MIA) and AFIS (MAFIS) module. Results indicated strong correlations (R2 > 0.89) between MIR and MAFIS and between MIR and MIA among either International Cotton Calibration (ICC) standards or selected cotton maturity references. On the other hand, low correlations between the pairs were observed among regular cotton fibers, which likely resulted from the heterogeneous distribution of structural, physical, and chemical characteristics in cotton fibers and subsequent different sampling specimens for individual and independent measurement.