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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #135376
Title: A review of cotton quality fineness and maturity measurements by NIR HVI

Author
item Montalvo Jr, Joseph
item von Hoven, Terri

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2002
Publication Date: 6/15/2002
Citation: Montalvo Jr, J.G., Von Hoven, T.M. 2002. A review of cotton quality fineness and maturity measurements by NIR HVI. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. (no page numbers given).

Interpretive Summary: Fineness and maturity have become more and more important fiber properties for classification purposes. Measurements of these properties are both slow and difficult. Therefore, a faster means of measurement is being sought. Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy, is one such fast, accurate, reliable method to measure properties of cotton fibers. NIR has been a successful measurement tool in determining fiber properties from sugar to moisture effects on strength, to water status and trash content to fiber fineness and maturity. A proven nondestructive near infrared spectroscopy method could be incorporated in High Volume Instrumentation, HVI, where fiber properties such as strength are currently measured destructively. In this paper, development of NIR methods for fiber property measurement are summarized, and the importance of fineness and maturity measurements is discussed. This research is planned to have direct impact on the cotton industry as a whole, and to ginners in particular, by providing a blue print for rapid, accurate fineness and maturity measurements.

Technical Abstract: Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been a successful research tool for analyzing a wide variety of cotton fiber properties. These include, from sugar content, moisture effects on strength, water status, trash content fiber fineness and maturity. Key findings of a literature review of this field are reviewed as related to a three variable model to help the cotton industry understand how changes in fineness and maturity produce spectral changes. For some in the textile industry, there are high hopes that nondestructive near infrared spectroscopy can be incorporated in High Volume Instrumentation, HVI, where fiber properties such as strength are currently measured destructively and fiber fineness and maturity are measured. The following discussion will include a review of current literature regarding the use of NIR methods research at SRRC to measure fineness and maturity.