Non-destructive NIR FT Raman analysis of plants

Non-destructive analyses of animal and plant cells and tissues by 'classica l' Raman spectroscopy with excitation in the visible range have not been po ssible since the samples are destroyed photochemically or their fluorescenc e conceals the Raman spectra completely. When excited with the Nd:YAG laser line at 1064 nm fluorescence-free Raman spectra of animal or plant cells a nd tissues can be recorded without special preparation. In this paper we co ncentrate on plants and its constituents: essential oils, natural dyes, fla vors, spices, alkaloids and fibers can be characterized. The spectra allow the observation of biochemical processes, to observe the distribution of na tural products, application to taxonomy, optimizing plant breeding, the har vesting time: and control of food-everything non-destructively in living pl ants! (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.