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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140421
Title: NEW SENSORS FOR QUALITY ANALYSIS

Author
item Barton Ii, Franklin
item Himmelsbach, David
item SMITH, WIILLIAM - WASHINGTON UNIV
item McClung, Anna
item Champagne, Elaine

Submitted to: United States Japan Natural Resources Protein Panel
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2003
Publication Date: 4/1/2003
Citation: BARTON II, F.E., HIMMELSBACH, D.S., SMITH, W.H., MCCLUNG, A.M., CHAMPAGNE, E.T. NEW SENSORS FOR QUALITY ANALYSIS. THE 31ST UNITED STATES JAPAN NATURAL RESOURCES PROTEIN PANEL. 2003. ABSTRACT. P. 29-30.

Interpretive Summary: A new generation of spectrometers and sensors have capabilities which exceed the older generation of Near Infrared spectrometers. A study was conducted to test these capabilities for the analysis of agricultural commodities, principally, rice and cotton. The determination of protein and amylose in rice was not improved, but the new instruments could detect and determine `stickiness' in cotton.

Technical Abstract: Historically, Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of agricultural commodities and foods has been accomplished with filter instruments, dispersive monochrometers and diode array spectrometers. These instruments have been characterized as rugged, high signal-to-noise (S/N) and inexpensive, monochrometers excluded. In the past few years Fourier Transform Interferometers have become available from the traditional mid infrared (MIR) manufacturers, such Perkin-Elmer, Nicolet, and Bruker. These instruments are characterized by high resolution, lower S/N, not particularly rugged and relatively high cost, comparable to monochrometers. Results will be shown which describe models developed by these new instruments and what advantages they provide to the agricultural analytical analysis community. The models of the non-FT instruments have been previously described at UJNR meetings and are comparable. For the vast majority of agricultural analyses resolution is not nearly as important as high S/N. The other advantages of the FT instruments are speed and `multi-plexing,' i.e., acquiring data at more than one place with the same instrument. Finally, a new sensor named DASI, diode array scanning interferometer will be discussed for its potential as a rugged inexpensive analysis system.