Comparison of Spectroscopic Techniques Combined with Chemometrics for Cocaine Powder Analysis.

Spectroscopic techniques combined with chemometrics are a promising tool for analysis of seized drug powders. In this study, the performance of three spectroscopic techniques [Mid-InfraRed (MIR), Raman and Near-InfraRed (NIR)] was compared. In total, 364 seized powders were analyzed and consisted of 276 cocaine powders (with concentrations ranging from 4 to 99 w%) and 88 powders without cocaine.

Rapid classification and quantification of cocaine in seized powders with ATR-FTIR and chemometrics.

Traditionally, fast screening for the presence of cocaine in unknown powders is performed by means of colour tests. The major drawbacks of these tests are subjective colour evaluation depending on the operator ('50 shades of blue') and a lack of selectivity. An alternative fast screening technique is Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometry.

NIR fingerprint screening for early control of non-conformity at feed mills.

The objective of this work was to devise a complete procedure based on chemometrics and the use NIR spectroscopy at the entrance of a feed mill to provide early evidence of non-conformity and unusual ingredients and thus help to achieve cost-savings. The procedure was validated at laboratory level and was adapted for application at the Cargill Animal Nutrition feed mill. The study focused on the characterisation of pure soybean meal with the aim of creating an early control system for detecting and quantifying any unusual ingredient that might be present in the soybean meal, such as melamine, cyanuric acid or whey powder (milk serum).

Biochemical methane potential prediction of plant biomasses: Comparing chemical composition versus near infrared methods and linear versus non-linear models.

The reliability of different models to predict the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of various plant biomasses using a multispecies dataset was compared. The most reliable prediction models of the BMP were those based on the near infrared (NIR) spectrum compared to those based on the chemical composition. The NIR predictions of local (specific regression and non-linear) models were able to estimate quantitatively, rapidly, cheaply and easily the BMP.

Analysis of collagen preservation in bones recovered in archaeological contexts using NIR Hyperspectral Imaging.

The scope of this article is to propose an innovative method based on Near Infrared Hyperspectral Chemical Imaging (NIR-HCI) to rapidly and non-destructively evaluate the relative degree of collagen preservation in bones recovered from archaeological contexts. This preliminary study has allowed the evaluation of the potential of the method using bone samples from the Early Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods at the site of Trou Al'Wesse in Belgium. NIR-HCI, combined with chemometric tools, has identified specific spectral bands characteristic of collagen.

Assessment of factors influencing the biomethane yield of maize silages.

A large set of maize silage samples was produced to assess the major traits influencing the biomethane production of this crop. The biomass yield, the volatile solids contents and the biochemical methane potential (BMP) were measured to calculate the biomethane yield per hectare (average=7266m(3)ha(-1)). The most influential factor controlling the biomethane yield was the cropping environment.

Discrimination of grassland species and their classification in botanical families by laboratory scale NIR hyperspectral imaging: preliminary results.

The objective of this study was to discriminate by a NIR line scan hyperspectral imaging, taxonomic plant families comprised of different grassland species. Plants were collected from semi-natural meadows of the National Apuseni Park, Apuseni Mountains, Gârda area (Romania) according to botanical families. Chemometric tools such as PLS-DA were used to discriminate distinct grassland species, and assign the different species to botanical families.

An overview of the legislation and light microscopy for detection of processed animal proteins in feeds.

From the first cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) among cattle in the United Kingdom in 1986, the route of infection of BSE is generally believed by means of feeds containing low level of processed animal proteins (PAPs). Therefore, many feed bans and alternative and complementary techniques were resulted for the BSE safeguards in the world. Now the feed bans are expected to develop into a "species to species" ban, which requires the corresponding species-specific identification methods.

Calibration transfer from dispersive instruments to handheld spectrometers.

The Foss NIRSystem 6500 is one of the most commonly used laboratory instruments in agriculture and in particular in feed. New technological developments include micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) technology, used in miniature handheld instruments such as the Polychromix Phazir spectrometer that are increasingly required for on-site analysis. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of a calibration transfer from the Foss NIRSystem 6500 to the Polychromix Phazir.

A Backward Variable Selection method for PLS regression (BVSPLS).

Variable selection has been discussed in many papers and it became an important topic in areas as chemometrics and science in general. Here a backward iterative step-by-step wrapper method is proposed using PLS. The root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) for an independent test set is used as selection criterion to quantify the gain obtained using the selected range of variables.

Transferability study of a near-infrared microscopic method for the detection of banned meat and bone meal in feedingstuffs.

Near-infrared microscopy (NIRM) has been proved to be a powerful tool for the detection of banned meat and bone meal (MBM) in feed. The identification of MBM traces and its ability to differentiate animal from vegetable feed ingredients is based on the evaluation of near-infrared spectra obtained from individual particles present in the sample. This evaluation is supported by appropriate decision rules for the absorbances at specific wavelengths.

Detection of the presence of hazelnut oil in olive oil by FT-raman and FT-MIR spectroscopy.

The detection of the presence of refined hazelnut oil in refined olive oil at low percentages is still a challenge with the current official standards. FT-Raman and FT-MIR spectroscopies have been used to determine the level of detection of the presence of hazelnut oil in olive oil. Spectroscopic analysis has been made not only with the entire oil but also with its unsaponifiable matter.

Detection of banned meat and bone meal in feedstuffs by near-infrared microscopic analysis of the dense sediment fraction.

In this paper we present an alternative method for detection of meat and bone meal (MBM) in feedstuffs by near-infrared microscopic (NIRM) analysis of the particles in the sediment fraction (dense fraction (d >1.62) from dichloroethylene) of compound feeds. To apply this method the particles of the sediment fraction are spread on a sample holder and presented to the NIR microscope.