Assessment of Potato Dry Matter Concentration Using Short-Wave Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The utility of short-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (over the wavelength region 750-950 nm), used in a partial transmittance optical geometry, was assessed as a means of estimating the dry matter concentration of potato tubers. The sampling optics did not involve contact with the sample, and could be used on a moving stream of product. A prediction accuracy of R-2 (correlation coefficient of determination) of 0.85 with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 1.52% for intact, whole tubers and R-2=0.95 and RMSEP=0.50% for sliced tubers was achieved. We conclude that short-wavelength near-infrared technology using a partial transmittance optical sampling geometry can be a useful tool for rapid assessment of tuber dry matter concentration prior to processing.