In the intricate world of food production, ensuring quality is an everlasting challenge. From meat to alcohol, contamination remains a persistent issue, demanding swift and reliable solutions. In the heart of this quest for excellence lies Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, an ideal of hope for the food and beverage industry.
Let’s embark on a journey to understand how NIR measurement is revolutionizing food testing, from identifying ingredients to combating food fraud, offering a comprehensive and efficient approach to safeguarding the integrity of our food supply.
India is bestowed with a huge livestock population which is the deciding factor for its meat production. India exported 9,592.31 MT of sheep and goat meat worth Rs. 537.18 crore (66.92 USD million) in 2022–23. India ranks 1st in production of buffalo meat with share of 42.60%.
The availability of food on a national and international level must be completely relied on by food providers, retailers, and their patrons.
According to scholars, NIR (Near Infrared) spectroscopy is an analytical method for quick, precise food testing. In the food & beverage and agriculture industries, NIR analysis is a commonly utilised technique that is a practical and affordable substitute for chemical analysis.
Overview of NIR measurement
What does NIR measure? How it operates, and why it is a thorough and reliable method of food testing?
NIR measurement supports several facets of food production and is very useful in quality control of a wide variety of foods, including:
- Identifying ingredients and additives
- Analysing food composition for labelling
- Recognising food fraud
- Enhancing production and manufacturing procedures.
Infrared Radiation
Electromagnetic energy from molecular vibration is known as infrared energy. It is radiant and is undetectable to the naked eye.
Infrared (IR) radiation is emitted by everything to some degree. When atoms absorb the release energy, these produce the frequencies that release energy as IR.
Similar to the visible light spectrum, the electromagnetic infrared spectrum comprises a range of wavelengths, from shorter near-infrared waves to longer far-infrared waves.
Near infrared (NIR) waves are closer to visible light on this spectrum and do not emit detectable heat.
NIR Applications
Scientists say that one very useful tool for sensing and detecting is the infrared spectrum. Electronic sensors found in night-vision goggles and infrared cameras are typical uses. Using particular wavelengths, infrared spectroscopy measures the infrared emissions from materials. The infrared spectrum of a substance exhibits peaks and dips corresponding to the emission or absorption of light photons by molecule electrons.
NIR represents a particular region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a spectroscopic method that uses the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (from about 700 nm to 2500 nm).
NIR spectroscopy measures light that is scattered off and through sample material, and this can rapidly determine the material’s properties. This process has no effect on the material itself.Next, NIR measurement transforms this data into information that serves as the foundation for additional action, be it production, quality control, or research.
This type of analysis can evaluate several parts in a single scan and requires little to no sample preparation. It is also capable of analysing uneven surfaces.
For this reason, NIR is a perfect technique to analyse different food types.
– Aditya Prabhu
