Chemometrics and near-infrared spectroscopy: Avoiding the pitfalls

The use of chemometrics in quantitative near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is reviewed from the standpoint of avoiding pitfalls that may lead to misleading or overly optimistic results. Using the NIR analysis of glucose in six-component mixture samples as an example, a set of guidelines is presented to help the analyst develop and implement a successful calibration.     

Dual stacked partial least squares for analysis of near-infrared spectra

A new ensemble learning algorithm is presented for quantitative analysis of near-infrared spectra. The algorithm contains two steps of stacked regression and Partial Least Squares (PLS), termed Dual Stacked Partial Least Squares (DSPLS) algorithm. First, several sub-models were generated from the whole calibration set. The inner-stack step was implemented on sub-intervals of the spectrum. Then the outer-stack step was used to combine these sub-models. Several combination rules of the outer-stack step were analyzed for the proposed DSPLS algorithm. In addition, a novel selective weighting rule was also involved to select a subset of all available sub-models. Experiments on two public near-infrared datasets demonstrate that the proposed DSPLS with selective weighting rule provided superior prediction performance and outperformed the conventional PLS algorithm. Compared with the single model, the new ensemble model can provide more robust prediction result and can be considered an alternative choice for quantitative analytical applications.     

Selectivity for glucose,glucose-6-phosphate,and pyruvate in ternary mixtures from the multivariate analysis of near-infrared spectra

Near-infrared spectroscopy offers the potential for direct in situ analysis in complex biological systems. Chemical selectivity is a critical issue for such measurements given the extent of spectral overlap of overtone and combination spectra. In this work, the chemical basis of selectivity is investigated for a set of multivariate calibration models designed to quantify glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and pyruvate independently in ternary mixtures. Near-infrared spectra are collected over the combination region (4,000–5,000 cm⁻¹) for a set of 60 standard solutions maintained at 37 °C. These standard solutions are composed of randomized concentrations (0.5–30 mM) of glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and pyruvate. Individual calibration models are constructed for each solute by using the partial least-squares (PLS) algorithm with optimized spectral range and number of latent variables. The resulting standard errors are 0.90, 0.72, and 0.32 mM for glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and pyruvate, respectively. A pure component selectivity analysis (PCSA) demonstrates selectivity for each solute in these ternary samples. The concentration of each solute is also predicted for each sample by using a set of net analyte signal (NAS) calibration models. A comparison of the PLS and NAS calibration vectors demonstrates the chemical basis of selectivity for these multivariate methods. Selectivity of each PLS and NAS calibration model originates from the unique spectral features associated with the targeted analyte. Overall, selectivity is demonstrated for each solute with an order of sensitivity of pyruvate > glucose-6-phosphate > glucose. Figure Combination near-infrared spectroscopy allows selective analytical measurements for glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and pyruvate in ternary mixtures owing to the uniqueness of the individual absorption spectra for each solute     

Evaluation of selectivity and robustness of near-infrared glucose measurements based on short-scan Fourier transform infrared interferograms

The selectivity and robustness of near-infrared (near-IR) calibration models based on short-scan Fourier transform (FT) infrared interferogram data are explored. The calibration methodology used in this work employs bandpass digital filters to reduce the frequency content of the interferogram data, followed by the use of partial least-squares (PLS) regression to build calibration models with the filtered interferogram signals. Combination region near-IR interferogram data are employed corresponding to physiological levels of glucose in an aqueous matrix containing variable levels of alanine, sodium ascorbate, sodium lactate, urea, and triacetin. A randomized design procedure is used to minimize correlations between the component concentrations and between the concentration of glucose and water. Because of the severe spectral overlap of the components, this sample matrix provides an excellent test of the ability of the calibration methodology to extract the glucose signature from the interferogram data. The robustness of the analysis is also studied by applying the calibration models to data collected outside of the time span of the data used to compute the models. A calibration model based on 52 samples collected over 4 days and employing two digital filters produces a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 0.36 mM glucose. The corresponding standard errors of prediction (SEP) for data collected on the 5th (18 samples) and 7th (10 samples) day are 0.42 and 0.48 mM, respectively. The interferogram segment used for the analysis contained only 155 points. These results are compatible with those obtained in a conventional analysis of absorbance spectra and serve to validate the viability of the interferogram-based calibration.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric estimation of nitrobenzene,aniline, and phenol in a ternary mixture using genetic algorithm

In spectrophotometry, mixtures of chemical constituents cannot be determined simultaneously due to spectral interferences as well as the close λ_max wavelength, the wavelength at which a substance absorbs the most photons. Since the spectra of individual components in a ternary mixture overlap, determining the concentration of individual components using the wavelength of maximum absorbance, λ_max, can lead to a significant error. In this paper, the concentrations of individual components in ternary synthetic mixtures of nitrophenol, aniline, and phenol were estimated simultaneously using a model based on a genetic algorithm and partial least squares. The spectrophotometric data of ternary mixtures with almost identical spectra of nitrobenzene, aniline, and phenol were calibrated using partial least squares modeling without losing prediction capability, and a genetic algorithm method was used to select the appropriate wavelengths for partial least square calibration. The experimental calibration matrix of 27 samples containing a ternary mixture of nitrobenzene (1.0–20.0 mg L^?1), aniline (1.0–15.0 mg L^?1), and phenol (4.0–18.0 mg L^?1) was designed by measuring the absorbance between 200 and 340 nm at a 1 nm wavelength intervals. The model was verified by using six different mixtures with varying concentrations of nitrobenzene, aniline, and phenol. The root mean square error in the prediction of nitrobenzene, aniline, and phenol was 0.1411, 0.1670, and 0.2861 with the genetic algorithm, and 0.3666, 0.6149, and 0.6279 without the genetic algorithm, respectively. This method can be successfully applied to estimate the components in synthetic mixtures accurately. Since this method is accurate and robust, it can be applied to actual industrial wastewater that contains a mixture of toxic chemicals. This eliminates the complications and costs related to separation and purification prior to the analysis using costly chromatographic methods.     

Noncontact analysis of the fiber weight per unit area in prepreg by near-infrared spectroscopy

The fiber weight per unit area in prepreg is an important factor to ensure the quality of the composite products. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology together with a noncontact reflectance sources has been applied for quality analysis of the fiber weight per unit area. The range of the unit area fiber weight was 13.39–14.14 mg cm⁻². The regression method was employed by partial least squares (PLS) and principal components regression (PCR). The calibration model was developed by 55 samples to determine the fiber weight per unit area in prepreg. The determination coefficient (R²), root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) were 0.82, 0.092, 0.099, respectively. The predicted values of the fiber weight per unit area in prepreg measured by NIRS technology were comparable to the values obtained by the reference method. For this technology, the noncontact reflectance sources focused directly on the sample with neither previous treatment nor manipulation. The results of the paired t-test revealed that there was no significant difference between the NIR method and the reference method. Besides, the prepreg could be analyzed one time within 20 s without sample destruction.     

Measurement of lactate in whole human blood with near-infrared transmission spectroscopy

We have evaluated the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a technique for rapid analysis of lactate in whole blood. To test the NIRS technique, a comparison was made with a standard clinical method using whole blood samples taken from five exercising human subjects at three different stage of exercise. To expand lactate concentration within the physiological range, standard additions method was used to generate 45 unique data points. Spectra were collected over the 2050-2400 nm spectral range with a 1 mm optical path length quartz cell. Reference lactate concentrations in the samples were determined by enzymatic measurements. Estimates and calibration of the lactate concentration with NIRS was made using partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis and leave-N-out cross validation on second derivative spectra. Separate calibrations were determined from each of the subject samples and cumulative PRESS was used to determine the number of PLS factors in the final model. The results from the PLS model presented are generated from the five individual calibration coefficient vectors and provided a correlation coefficient of 0.978 and a standard error of cross validation of 0.65 mmol l⁻¹ between the enzymatic assay and the NIRS technique. To study the parameters that impact the spectra baseline and the correlation between the calculated model and the data, referenced measurements of lactate against baseline spectrum were made for each individual. A correlation coefficient of 0.992 and a standard error of cross validation of 0.21 mmol l⁻¹ were found. The results suggest that NIRS may provide a valuable tool to assess physiological status for both research and clinical needs.     

Direct and simultaneous spectrofluorometric determination of naproxen and salicylate in human serum assisted by chemometric analysis

A direct method for the simultaneous determination of naproxen and salicylate in human serum is reported, based on a combination of spectrofluorometric measurements with two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least-squares (PLS-1) and the novel net analyte preprocessing (NAP). The method is rapid, selective and sensitive, and is based on the measurement of the fluorescence spectra of NH₃ alkalinized whole human sera at the excitation wavelength of 315 nm. It can be applied within the ranges of concentrations 50-200 ng ml⁻¹ for naproxen and 100-300 ng ml⁻¹ for salicylate. The employed chemometric techniques have been compared on the basis of the statistical indicators for calibration and validation. Reproducibility and interference studies in abnormal sera have also been carried out.     

Quantitative determination by temperature dependent near-infrared spectra

Near-infrared (NIR) spectra are sensitive to the variation of experimental conditions, such as temperature. In this work, the relationship between NIR absorption spectra and temperature was quantitatively analyzed and applied to the quantitative determination of the compositions in mixtures. It was found that, for the solvents such as water and ethanol, a quantitative spectra-temperature relationship (QSTR) model between NIR spectra and temperature can be established by using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Therefore, the temperature of a solution can be predicted by using the model and NIR spectrum. Furthermore, it was also found that the difference between the predicted results of different solutions is a quantitative reflection of concentration. The variation of intercept in the relationship of the predicted and measured temperature can be used to determine the concentration of the compositions. The mixtures of water, methanol, ethanol and ethylenediamine in a concentration range of 5-80% (v/v) were studied. The calibration curves are found to be reliable with the correlation coefficients (R) higher than 0.99. Both the QSTR and calibration model may extend the application of NIR spectroscopy and provide novel techniques for analytical chemistry.     

New cut-off criterion for uninformative variable elimination in multivariate calibration of near-infrared spectra for the determination of heroin in illicit street drugs

A new cut-off criterion has been proposed for the selection of uninformative variables prior to chemometric partial least squares (PLS) modelling. After variable elimination, PLS regressions were made and assessed comparing the results with those obtained by PLS models based on the full spectral range. To assess the prediction capabilities, uninformative variable elimination (UVE)-PLS and PLS were applied to diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectra of heroin samples. The application of the proposed new cut-off criterion, based on the t-Students distribution, provided similar predictive capabilities of the PLS models than those obtained using the original criteria based on quantile value. However, the repeatability of the number of selected variables was improved significantly.     

Comparison of multivariate calibration models for glucose,urea, and lactate from near-infrared and Raman spectra

Partial least-squares (PLS) calibration models have been generated from a series of near-infrared (near-IR) and Raman spectra acquired separately from sixty different mixed solutions of glucose, lactate, and urea in aqueous phosphate buffer. Independent PLS models were prepared and compared for glucose, lactate, and urea. Near-IR and Raman spectral features differed substantially for these solutes, with Raman spectra enabling greater distinction with less spectral overlap than features in the near-IR spectra. Despite this, PLS models derived from near-IR spectra outperformed those from Raman spectra. Standard errors of prediction were 0.24, 0.11, and 0.14 mmol L⁻¹ for glucose, lactate, and urea, respectively, from near-IR spectra and 0.40, 0.42, and 0.36 mmol L⁻¹ for glucose, lactate, and urea, respectively, from Raman spectra. Differences between instrumental signal-to-noise ratios were responsible for the better performance of the near-IR models. The chemical basis of model selectivity was examined for each model by using a pure component selectivity analysis combined with analysis of the net analyte signal for each solute. This selectivity analysis showed that models based on either near-IR or Raman spectra had excellent selectivity for the targeted analyte. The net analyte signal analysis also revealed that analytical sensitivity was higher for the models generated from near-IR spectra. This is consistent with the lower standard errors of prediction.     

偏最小二乘线性拟合滴定甘蔗糖蜜中多组分有机酸

将滴定体系调节至pH 2.0,用碱标准溶液滴定至特定pH所消耗滴定荆为测量指标,构建了多组分有机酸滴定数据阵,分别以主成分回归法、偏最小二乘法以及人工神经元网络法进行多组分拟合.结果表明,偏最小二乘法的拟合结果最佳,对混合体系中乙酸、乳酸、草酸、琥珀酸、柠檬酸和乌头酸总量的相对预测均方根误差分别为5.80%、8.88%...     

Standardization of near infrared spectra measured on multi-instrument

Calibration model transfer is essential for practical applications of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy because the measurements of the spectra may be performed on different instruments and the difference between the instruments must be corrected. An approach for calibration transfer based on alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) algorithm is proposed in this work. From the three-way spectral matrix measured on different instruments, the relative intensity of concentration, spectrum and instrument is obtained using trilinear decomposition. Because the relative intensity of instrument is a reflection of the spectral difference between instruments, the spectra measured on different instruments can be standardized by a correction of the coefficients in the relative intensity. Two NIR datasets of corn and tobacco leaf samples measured with three instruments are used to test the performance of the method. The results show that, for both the datasets, the spectra measured on one instrument can be correctly predicted using the partial least squares (PLS) models built with the spectra measured on the other instruments.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of oxytetracycline by near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, in combination with chemometrics, enable the analysis of raw materials without time-consuming sample preparation methods. The aim of our work was to estimate critical parameters in the analytical specification of oxytetracycline, and consequently the development of a method for quantification and qualification of these parameters by NIR spectroscopy. A Karl Fischer (K.F.) titration to determine the water content, a colorimetric assay method, and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to identify the oxytetracycline base, were used as reference methods, respectively. Multivariate calibration was performed on NIR spectral data using principal component analysis (PCA), partial least-squares (PLS 1) and principal component regression (PCR) chemometric methods. Multivariate calibration models for NIR spectroscopy have been developed. Using PCA and the Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) approach, we established the cluster model for the determination of sample identity. PLS 1 and PCR regression methods were applied to develop the calibration models for the determination of water content and the assay of the oxytetracycline base. Comparing the PLS and PCR regression methods we found out that the PLS is better established by NIR, especially as the spectroscopic data (NIR spectra) are highly collinear and there are many wavelengths due to non-selective wavelengths. The calibration models for NIR spectroscopy are convenient alternatives to the colorimetric method and to the K.F. method, as well as to FT-IR spectroscopy, in the routine control of incoming material.     

Second- and higher-order data generation and calibration: A tutorial

An introduction to multi-way calibration based on second- and higher-order data generation and processing is provided, with emphasis on practical experimental aspects. After a discussion concerning a proper nomenclature scheme, a suitable classification of the obtainable data, and the general features of the available algorithms and their underlying models, a series of examples is discussed in detail, with the purpose of illustrating the great potentiality of the field for the analytical community. Emphasis is directed toward the most popular multi-way data, i.e., second-order or matrix data, which can be conveniently measured in a variety of instruments. Third-order data are being increasingly studied and are also discussed, along with the less explored field of fourth-order data. The estimation of figures of merit, which analysts need to report during method development, is now sufficiently mature to be provided for the general audience.     

Coal analysis by diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy: Hierarchical cluster and linear discriminant analysis

An extensive study was carried out in coal samples coming from several origins trying to establish a relationship between nine coal properties (moisture (%), ash (%), volatile matter (%), fixed carbon (%), heating value (kcal/kg), carbon (%), hydrogen (%), nitrogen (%) and sulphur (%)) and the corresponding near-infrared spectral data. This research was developed by applying both quantitative (partial least squares regression, PLS) and qualitative multivariate analysis techniques (hierarchical cluster analysis, HCA; linear discriminant analysis, LDA), to determine a methodology able to estimate property values for a new coal sample. For that, it was necessary to define homogeneous clusters, whose calibration equations could be obtained with accuracy and precision levels comparable to those provided by commercial online analysers and, study the discrimination level between these groups of samples attending only to the instrumental variables. These two steps were performed in three different situations depending on the variables used for the pattern recognition: property values, spectral data (principal component analysis, PCA) or a combination of both. The results indicated that it was the last situation what offered the best results in both two steps previously described, with the added benefit of outlier detection and removal.     

Prediction of some quality attributes of lamb meat using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and multivariate analysis

The goal of this study was to explore the potential of near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging in combination with multivariate analysis for the prediction of some quality attributes of lamb meat. In this study, samples from three different muscles (semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), longissimus dorsi (LD)) originated from Texel, Suffolk, Scottish Blackface and Charollais breeds were collected and used for image acquisition and quality measurements. Hyperspectral images were acquired using a pushbroom NIR hyperspectral imaging system in the spectral range of 900–1700 nm. A partial least-squares (PLS) regression, as a multivariate calibration method, was used to correlate the NIR reflectance spectra with quality values of the tested muscles. The models performed well for predicting pH, colour and drip loss with the coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.65, 0.91 and 0.77, respectively. Image processing algorithm was also developed to transfer the predictive model in every pixel to generate prediction maps that visualize the spatial distribution of quality parameter in the imaged lamb samples. In addition, textural analysis based on gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was also conducted to determine the correlation between textural features and drip loss. The results clearly indicated that NIR hyperspectral imaging technique has the potential as a fast and non-invasive method for predicting quality attributes of lamb meat.     

Simultaneous Multivariate Spectrophotometric Analysis of Binary and Ternary Mixtures of Sulfamethoxazole,Trimethoprim and Phenazopyridine in Tablets

ABSTRACT

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration is reported for the analysis of tablets containing the antibiotics sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and a combination of the former two drugs with the analgesic phenazopyridine. The resolution of these mixtures has been accomplished without prior separation, derivatisation or use of nonaqueous solvents, with the aid of partial least-squares (PLS-1) regression analysis of electronic absorption spectral data. The analytes have been simultaneously determined with high accuracy and precision, and with no interference from tablet excipients.     

Content uniformity determination of pharmaceutical tablets using five near-infrared reflectance spectrometers: a process analytical technology (PAT) approach using robust multivariate calibration transfer algorithms

Near-infrared calibration models were developed for the determination of content uniformity of pharmaceutical tablets containing 29.4% drug load for two dosage strengths (X and Y). Both dosage strengths have a circular geometry and the only difference is the size and weight. Strength X samples weigh approximately 425 mg with a diameter of 12 mm while strength Y samples, weigh approximately 1700 mg with a diameter of 20 mm. Data used in this study were acquired from five NIR instruments manufactured by two different vendors. One of these spectrometers is a dispersive-based NIR system while the other four were Fourier transform (FT) based. The transferability of the optimized partial least-squares (PLS) calibration models developed on the primary instrument (A) located in a research facility was evaluated using spectral data acquired from secondary instruments B, C, D and E. Instruments B and E were located in the same research facility as spectrometer A while instruments C and D were located in a production facility 35 miles away. The same set of tablet samples were used to acquire spectral data from all instruments. This scenario mimics the conventional pharmaceutical technology transfer from research and development to production. Direct cross-instrument prediction without standardization was performed between the primary and each secondary instrument to evaluate the robustness of the primary instrument calibration model. For the strength Y samples, this approach was successful for data acquired on instruments B, C, and D producing root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 1.05, 1.05, and 1.22%, respectively. However for instrument E data, this approach was not successful producing an RMSEP value of 3.40%. A similar deterioration was observed for the strength X samples, with RMSEP values of 2.78, 5.54, 3.40, and 5.78% corresponding to spectral data acquired on instruments B, C, D, and E, respectively. To minimize the effect of instrument variability, calibration transfer techniques such as piecewise direct standardization (PDS) and wavelet hybrid direct standardization (WHDS) were used. The PDS approach, the RMSEP values for strength X samples were lowered to 1.22, 1.12, 1.19, and 1.08% for instruments B, C, D, and E, respectively. Similar improvements were obtained using the WHDS approach with RMSEP values of 1.36, 1.42, 1.36, and 0.98% corresponding to instruments B, C, D, and E, respectively.     

Quantitative determination by temperature dependent near-infrared spectra: a further study

Quantitative spectra-temperature relationship (QSTR) between near-infrared (NIR) spectra and temperature has been studied in our previous work (Talanta, 2010, 82, 1017-1021). In this study, applicability of the QSTR model for quantitative determination is further studied using the spectra of aqueous ethanol samples in the temperature range of 31-40 °C and the concentration range of 1-99%. The results show that QSTR model can be built by using the spectra in a small temperature range and the quantitative analysis can be achieved by only two spectra at different temperatures. Moreover, calibration curves for different concentration ranges (1-5%, 20-70%, 95-99%, v/v) are investigated by using linear and nonlinear curve fitting, respectively. Both of the linear and nonlinear curves are found to be applicable within these concentration ranges. Therefore, the temperature dependent NIR spectra may provide a new way for quantitative determination and may have high potential in bio-fluids analysis or industrial practices.