Nondestructive estimation of fatty acid composition in seeds of Brassica napus L. by near-infrared spectroscopy

The feasibility of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the nondestructive determination of fatty acid composition in rapeseed was examined. NIR spect ra were measured on extracted oil, intact rapeseed kernels, and an intact s ingle rapeseed with an InfraAlyzer 500 in a syrup cup or a single-grain cup . NIR spectra were scanned from 1100 to 2500 nm at 2-nm intervals. As the p ercentage of linoleic acid increased, the spectral values in the region 169 6-1724 nm, where linoleic acid has its absorption band, became always stron ger downward in second-derivative NIR spectra. As the percentage of erucic acid increased the spectral value at 1728 nm, where erucic acid has its abs orption band, became always a little bit stronger downward in the second-de rivative NIR spectra. On the basis of their NIR spectral patterns, linoleic acid and erucic acid could be successfully determined in both intact seed kernels and in a single seed of rape without damaging them.