The extraction of material data was limited to laboratories in the past, and even then the process was expensive and time-consuming. However, recent advances in technology have changed this field. Meet NIR technology. Today, NIR handheld devices or spectrometers are more accessible. They can be used in portable units, making them the ultimate solution for accurate real-time use of material data scans, anytime and anywhere.
Farmers, seed producers, and food manufacturers using this breakthrough to empower farmers and food producers to gather important information on-site, increasing faster decision-making, improving yield, maintaining animal health,and boosting productivity.
What is Near Infrared Spectroscopy?
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technique that uses a specific part of the electromagnetic spectrum, known as the near-infrared region, to analyze the composition of an object. Scientists can measure the light that either penetrates or scatters off the object by directing near-infrared light toward a sample. This process allows them to determine various properties of the sample without causing any harm or alteration to it.
The near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum lies just outside the visible range, between approximately 700nm and 2500nm. Unlike visible light, which we can see with our eyes, near-infrared light requires a near-infrared spectrometer device to be detected and analyzed.
Although the term "radiation" might sound intimidating, it’s important to note that near-infrared light is completely safe. It does not cause any harm or irradiation to the object being analyzed. Instead, NIRS functions like an X-ray, offering detailed information about the sample without creating an image.
How Does Near Infrared Spectroscopy Work?
The process of NIRS may seem complex, but its principles are simple. To begin the analysis, near-infrared light is directed at the object in different wavelengths and frequencies. Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; a longer wavelength corresponds to a lower frequency and vice versa.
During the analysis, the intensity of the light is measured both before and after it interacts with the sample. Some of the light is absorbed, while some is scattered. The difference between the incoming and outgoing light provides information about the molecular bonds within the sample. These bonds absorb energy differently depending on their type, which is why the spectrometer uses a range of wavelengths and frequencies.
The results obtained from this process show the chemical composition and concentration of the sample. Although these calculations are complex, modern NIRS devices, such as those offered by SCIO, are designed to handle most of the work. Many of these devices feature user-friendly interfaces and automated systems, making them accessible even to those without a deep scientific background.
Applications of NIRS Across Industries
Grains and Seeds
In agriculture, NIRS monitors crop moisture and protein levels, such as corneal or wheat grains. This helps farmers determine the best time for harvesting. By knowing these parameters on the field in real-time, farmers and seed companies have full visibility of their fields, they know when is the ultimate time to harvest and save both time and money while decreasing waste.NIRS offers non-destructive, fast, and reliable results. Farmers can use a small, portable device to assess large crop areas easily and quickly, making NIRS an indispensable tool during harvest season.
The use of handheld devices has changed crop testing. Companies like SCIO (formally known as SCIO are leading producers of NIRS devices that are accurate and easy to use..
Feed and Nutrition
NIRS is also used in the animal feed industry to assess nutritional value. It helps to analyze the dry matter of animal feed, which farmers will use to ensure they are providing their livestock with the most balanced diet. This analysis helps optimize feed formulations, ensuring livestock receives the correct nutrients to maintain their health and productivity.
According to research, farmers who rely on NIRS for feed analysis always know that their animals are getting the right diet, and can ensure consistency in producing great milk, while maintaining animal health, and saving money.
Food Production: Quality Control in Fruits, Berries, and Cheese
NIRS helps to maintain food quality, particularly in fruit and dairy production. For fruits, NIRS helps determine sugar content, acidity, and ripeness. This is useful in crops like grapes and berries, where timing is vital for maximizing sweetness.
Non-climacteric fruits, such as berries and grapes, don’t ripen much after harvest, so SSC (soluble solids content) must be tracked in real time. NIR devices allow farmers to instantly check sugar levels and decide on the best time to harvest. For post-harvest processing, this technology helps sort fruits according to their ripeness, ensYuring consistent product quality.
NIRS is also important in cheese production. It helps analyze fat and moisture content during various stages of cheesemaking, NIR tools ensure that the final product meets quality standards, from analyzing milk to tracking moisture reduction during pressing. It minimizes waste while maintaining consistent cheese quality.
Academic Research
In recent years, NIRS has become a valuable technology for research, focusing on a non-destructive way to materialize data. There are already studies showing NIRS is a better technology for determining kernel moisture in the field, which could help improve future crop yields.
Research into NIRS also explores applications for assessing environmental factors and crop health. So, the use of NIRS in academic research is opening new doors for understanding how environmental conditions impact crop development.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Since the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies have adopted NIRS for raw material identification, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming laboratory testing.
NIRS is used in various stages of drug production, including at-line testing, blending operations, and moisture determination. The technology allows for 100% inspection without the need for sample dilution, ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
Choosing the Right NIR Solution
When selecting a NIR solution, it’s not just about finding the most cost-effective option. What’s more important is finding a solution that gives you more. Make sure your device offers accuracy, real-time results, and cloud connectivity to save your data for future use. Modern NIRS devices offer quick, highly accurate data collection, which users can use to make immediate decisions whenever and wherever…Ensuring efficiency and saves time, money, and labor.
Companies like SCIO have been leading the charge in creating compact, cloud-connected NIRS devices that provide instant readings, helping users gather actionable data.
The Benefits of Near Infrared Spectroscopy
NIRS technology is accurate, fast, and non-destructive, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Unlike traditional methods, which can take days to yield results, tests can be performed in as little as three seconds, and results are available in under seven seconds.
With portable, cloud-connected devices now available, NIR spectrometers have a high level of flexibility for farmers, food processors, or researchers, with the same accuracy as the laboratory NIR spectrometers maintain quality, optimize production, and reduce costs. Additionally, NIRS offers objective results based on the chemical makeup of a sample, for accuracy and repeatability in every analysis.
Conclusion
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a powerful technology for analyzing material data. Its applications cover industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food production, etc. Applying NIRS technologies along with data collection abilities, and cloud connectivity Industries can maintain product quality and consistency as well as, costs, and save time, and labor hours.
With the innovation of new technologies, the role of NIRS is likely to be precise and accessible solutions for industry professionals. It will be key in improving crop yields, ensuring the quality of food and pharmaceuticals, and analyzing the health of soils and animals.
Website of Source: https://www.scionir.com/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1243081