Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a tool for the control of sheep leather defatting

The fat content is one of the variables to be controlled by the tanning industry with a view to obtaining leather for various commercial purposes. Ensuring the production of quality leather products frequently entails using some defatting treatment, particularly when the raw skin is rich in natural fat. The official method for determining fat in leather, IUC 4, is rather slow; also, it uses polluting reagents and involves powdering samples for Soxhlet extraction with low-polarity solvents. The combination of NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy as implemented with a fibre-optic probe and multivariate calibration is probably the best choice for the direct determination of fat in leather and the monitoring of leather defatting.In this work, a method for the determination of fat in leather and the control of the defatting process in an expeditious manner and with no sample treatment was developed. Defatting tests were conducted on leather specimens from lambs of various breeds and origins in order to span as wide as possible a range of variability in their properties and natural fat content. The NIR spectra used to construct the calibration matrices were recorded directly on the leather samples prior to and after defatting. Fat contents were determined by partial least-squares regression (PLSR), using the values obtained with the official method as references. Notwithstanding the complex nature of leather, the calibration models used provided good external predictions: the largest overall relative error, obtained by using a single calibration matrix for natural and defatted specimens, was 10%. The proposed method is therefore an advantageous alternative to the official method.     

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the fast identification of PVC-based films

Near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used to develop a non-destructive and rapid qualitative method for the analysis of plastic films used by the pharmaceutical industry for blistering. Three types of films were investigated: 250 microm PVC [poly(vinyl chloride)] films, 250 microm PVC films coated with 40 g m(-2) of PVDC [poly(vinylidene dichloride)] and 250 microm PVC films coated with 5 g m(-2) of TE (Thermoelast) and 90 g m(-2) of PVDC. Three analyses were carried out using different pre-treatment options and a PLS (partial least squares) algorithm. Each analysis was aimed at identifying one type of film and rejecting all types of false sample (different thickness, colour or layer). True and false samples from four plastics manufacturers were included in the calibration sets in order to obtain robust methods that were suitable regardless of the supplier. Specificity was demonstrated by testing validation sets against the methods. The tests showed 0% of type I (false negative identification) and 1% of type II errors (false positive identification) for the PVC method, 13 and 3%, respectively, for the PVC-PVDC method and no error for the PVC-TE-PVDC method. Type II errors, mostly due to the slight sensitivity of the methods to film thickness, are easily corrected by simple thickness measurements. This study demonstrates that NIR spectroscopy is an excellent tool for the identification of PVC-based films. The three methods can be used by the pharmaceutical industry or plastics manufacturers for the quality control of films used in blister packaging.     

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS): A method of rational multicomponent analysis

With the introduction of chemometric evaluation software combined with diffuse reflectance measurements, near infrared spectroscopy has been launched into a new era of analytical applications. In the present contribution the basic principles of NIRS and its potential for chemical multicomponent analysis are discussed.     

Optimization of sample packing in diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy

Parameters of sample packing in diffuse reflectance IR Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) have been investigated and optimized. One MPa pressure applied for 1 min was found to provide simultaneously at least ±3% reproducibility and appropriate band intensity. It has been also demonstrated that this precision can be obtained if the sample mass is controlled to ±2% and the sample is dry. A simple sample packing accessory was designed and constructed for reproducible sample preparation. Quartz concentration of dust samples has been determined and good agreement has been found with the results of the conventional pellet technique.     

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy as a tool to characterise water in adsorption/confinement situations

We present experimental data acquired by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy in the mid-IR (4000-400 cm(-1)), on micrometric-sized mineral grain powders. The spectral evolution of the OH-stretching band is followed when the adsorbed water film is thinned under dry conditions, from high to low hydration states. The IR bands are found to be characteristic of the degree of adsorption/confinement of the liquid water. The OH-stretching band is shifted toward shorter wavenumbers than in bulk water, showing that a significant portion of adsorbed water has a higher intermolecular bonding energy. Complementary treatment of the kinetics of water desorption, varying with the surface forces in the water film, confirms the relationships of these bands with the constrained water state. We distinguish different water types obeying liquid-liquid interactions (free and capillary water) or dominated by solid-water interactions (confined and adsorbed water). Part of this study is devoted to mesoporous silica MCM-41, of interest due to the restricted geometries of its mesopores (4.7 nm) favouring the confined water state. The methodology allows us to distinguish bulk and adsorbed/confined water, using spectral analysis coupled with an understanding of the dynamic behaviour of the desorption process.     

Near infrared spectroscopy in the study of polymorphic transformations

The potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the characterization of polymorphs in the active principle of a commercial formulation prior to and after the manufacturing process was assessed. Polymorphism in active principles is extremely significant to the pharmaceutical industry. Polymorphic changes during the production of commercial pharmaceutical formulations can alter some properties of the resulting end-products. Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) methodology was used to obtain the “pure” NIR spectrum for the active principle without the need to pretreat samples. This methodology exposed the polymorphic transformation of Dexketoprofen Trometamol (DKP) in both laboratory and production samples obtained by wet granulation. No polymorphic transformation, however, was observed in samples obtained by direct compaction. These results were confirmed using by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Pure crystalline polymorphs of DKP were available in the laboratory but amorphous form was not, nevertheless the developed methodology allows the identification of amorphous and crystal forms in spite of the lack of pure DKP.     

Comparison of calibration methods in quantitative diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy

Four different calibration methods were used for quantitative analysis of quartz and calcite in atmospheric aerosols by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS): (A) conventional calibration with one measurement on each standard (single calibration); (B) calibration with an internal standard; (C) calibration with parallel (n = 4) measurements on each standard (multiple calibration); (D) multiple calibration followed by reference reflectance correction. The accuracy and the precision of the methods were compared and it was found that by using method D the reliability of the conventional pellet preparation transmission technique can be achieved.     

胆酸含量的近红外分析数学模型

本文应用近红外技术研究了快速测定胆酸含量的方法.通过测定胆酸在10000~4000cm-1范围内的近红外透射光谱,基于偏最小二乘(PLS)算法,建立了胆酸含量的数学模型.以校正均方差(RMSEC)和相关系数(R)为指标,确定了用于建模的最优近红外波段和光谱预处理方法,并基于此模型预测了9个样品.结果显示,建模效果良好,...     

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in the study of atopy. Part 3. Interactions between the skin and fomblins.

The near infrared reflectance spectra of the skin of atopic and normal subjects were compared after topical application of perfluorinated polyethers (fomblins) of different molecular weight and viscosity. It was possible to distinguish the two classes of subjects and the different fomblins applied, by principal components analysis.     

Rheo-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy: a new tool to study biopolymers

Whilst rheology is the reference technique to study the mechanical properties of unspun silk, we know little of the structure and the dynamics that generate them. By coupling infrared spectroscopy and shearing forces to study silk fibroin conversion, we are introducing a novel tool to address this gap in our knowledge. Here the silk conversion process has been studied dynamically using polarized attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy whilst applying shear, thus revealing silk protein conformation and molecular orientation in situ. Our results show that the silk conversion process starts with a pre-alignment of the proteins followed by a rapid growth of the β-sheet formation and then a subsequent deceleration of the growth. We propose that this tool will provide further insight into not only silk but any biopolymer solution, opening a new window into biological materials.     

Near infrared fourier transform Raman spectroscopy of human artery

We report the first near IR FT-Raman spectroscopy of normal diseased human artery. In normal human aorta, two bands at 1669 cm⁻¹ and 1452 cm⁻¹ dominate the spectrum and can be assigned to protein amide I and C-H in-plane bending vibrations, respectively. Weaker bands are also observed between 1250 and 1350 cm⁻¹. Non-calcified atherosclerotic lesions with a large amount of necrotic debris below the tissue surface show a relative increase in the intensity of the 1452 cm⁻¹ band. In atherosclerotic aortas which contain calcified deposits several hundred microns below the tissue surface, a strong 961 cm⁻¹ band is observed due to the symmetric stretch of phosphate groups in the calcified salts. The results show that this method provides the capability to probe biological substituents several hundred microns below the tissue surface.     

近红外光谱法测定5-羟基色氨酸的含量

本文利用近红外光谱法建立了5-羟基色氨酸的偏最小二乘(PLS)定量模型。采用相关数法选择波段以及二阶导数、Norris derivative平滑滤波进行数据预处理,所建校正模型的R为0.99907,RMSEC为0.0638,RMSEP为0.0675。经验证模型的预测性能良好,为5-HTP的快速测定提供了一种方法。     

Near infrared spectroscopy of stearic acid adsorbed on montmorillonite

The adsorption of stearic acid on both sodium montmorillonites and calcium montmorillonites has been studied by near infrared spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy. Upon adsorption of stearic acid on Ca–Mt additional near infrared bands are observed at 8236 cm^?1 and is assigned to an interaction of stearic acid with the water of hydration. Upon adsorption of the stearic acid on Na–Mt, the NIR bands are now observed at 5671, 5778, 5848 and 5912 cm^?1 and are assigned to the overtone and combination bands of the CH fundamentals. Additional bands at 4177, 4250, 4324, 4337, 4689 and 4809 cm^?1 are attributed to CH combination bands resulting from the adsorption of the stearic acid. Stearic acid is used as a model molecule for adsorption studies. The application of near infrared spectroscopy to the study of this adsorption proved most useful.     

Characterization of estuarine sediments by near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

It has been developed a partial least squares near infrared (PLS-NIR) method for the determination of estuarine sediment physicochemical parameters. The method was based on the chemometric treatment of first order derivative reflectance spectra obtained from samples previously lyophilized and sieved through a lower than 63 μm grid. Spectra were scanned from 833 to 2976 nm, averaging 36 scans per spectrum at a resolution of 8 cm⁻¹, using chromatographic glass vials of 9.5 mm internal diameter as measurement cells. Models were built using reference data of 31 samples selected through the use of a hierarchical cluster analysis of NIR spectra of sediments obtained from the Ria de Arousa estuary and prediction parameters were established from a validation set of 50 samples of the same area. pH, redox potential (Eh), carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H) content together with Sn, Pb, Cd, As, Sb and total Cr and also acid soluble, reducible and oxidable Cr fractions were employed as characteristic parameters of the studied sediments. Standard error of prediction values for C and N content were of the order of 4 and 1.3 mg g⁻¹ for H. Prediction errors for pH and Eh were 0.15 units and 37 mV, respectively, thus indicating the good prediction capabilities of the method. Regarding trace metal concentrations PLS-NIR provided prediction error levels for unknown samples around 20% for Sn, Pb, As and Sb and root mean square errors of prediction around 40% for concentration levels of 400 ng g⁻¹ Cd and 100 μg g⁻¹ Cr. For the different extractable fractions of Cr the residual prediction deviation varied from 1.3 to 1.7 but relative errors found for samples of the validation set were only useful for screening purposes.     

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy discriminates a spectral signature of endometriosis independent of inter-individual variation

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Its aetiology remains obscure, and it is difficult to diagnose ranging from asymptomatic to debilitating disease. Mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy has become recognised as a potential clinical diagnostic tool. Biomolecules absorb mid-IR (4000 cm(-1) to 400 cm(-1)) and from this, a biochemical-cell fingerprint in the form of an absorbance spectrum can be derived. We set out to determine if IR spectroscopy could be used to identify underlying biochemical differences between endometrial tissues growing outside of the uterus (ectopic) from endometrial tissue of the uterus (eutopic). For comparative purposes, endometrial tissues from endometriosis-free women were also obtained (benign eutopic). Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy or transmission FTIR microspectroscopy was employed for spectral acquisition. Principal component analysis (PCA)-linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used for chemometric analysis. A clear segregation was exhibited between the three categories independent of inter-individual confounding differences. Importantly, there was a marked difference between eutopic endometrial tissue from patients with or without endometriosis. This indicates that IR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis (e.g., PCA-LDA) may provide a non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis. By analysing the underlying biochemistry of these endometrial tissues, this approach may facilitate a better understanding of this pathology.     

Near infrared spectroscopy as a rapid tool to measure volatile aroma compounds in Riesling wine: possibilities and limits

Volatile chemical compounds responsible for the aroma of wine are derived from a number of different biochemical and chemical pathways. These chemical compounds are formed during grape berry metabolism, crushing of the berries, fermentation processes (i.e. yeast and malolactic bacteria) and also from the ageing and storage of wine. Not surprisingly, there are a large number of chemical classes of compounds found in wine which are present at varying concentrations (ng L⁻¹ to mg L⁻¹), exhibit differing potencies, and have a broad range of volatilities and boiling points. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential use of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as a rapid and low-cost technique to measure volatile compounds in Riesling wines. Samples of commercial Riesling wine were analyzed using an NIR instrument and volatile compounds by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry. Correlation between the NIR and GC data were developed using partial least-squares (PLS) regression with full cross validation (leave one out). Coefficients of determination in cross validation (R ²) and the standard error in cross validation (SECV) were 0.74 (SECV: 313.6 μg L⁻¹) for esters, 0.90 (SECV: 20.9 μg L⁻¹) for monoterpenes and 0.80 (SECV: 1658 μg L⁻¹) for short-chain fatty acids. This study has shown that volatile chemical compounds present in wine can be measured by NIR spectroscopy. Further development with larger data sets will be required to test the predictive ability of the NIR calibration models developed.     

Determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

We developed a method for determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations containing various excipients by using near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and two different calibration methods, viz. stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) and partial least-squares (PLS) regression, which provided comparable results and resulted in prediction errors of 1-2%. However, the PLS method provided somewhat better results with the more complex samples.     

Optimization of some instrumental factors in diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy

The effects of some instrumental factors on infrared spectroscopy analysis were investigated in the case of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) mode. It is usually said that quantitative analysis is possible only if both particle size distribution and sample density are perfectly controlled. However, even if these conditions are checked, instrumental factors are of great interest for the goodness of a curve fitting procedure, which is often necessary in solid sample studies. A factorial design achieved on anthron made it possible to obtain major trends concerning the required values for one instrumental parameter (resolution) and two mathematical treatments (zero filling and Savitsky-Golay (S-G) smoothing). Resolution was found to have the greatest effect on measured responses. A value of 2 cm(-1) according to the corresponding aperture is sufficient to approach the real width of bands for powdered samples. The use of a zero filling factor (ZFF) improves the apparent resolution by data interpolation. The best values found for instrumental parameters were applied to an anthron-anthracen mixture. The optimization of spectral features made it possible to obtain semi-quantitative results quite easily, in good agreement with the data corresponding to each pure compound.