Application of near-infrared spectroscopy to agriculture and forestry

Depending on the uniformity of the quality attribute within agricultural products, there is often a need to develop non-destructive and efficient evaluation methods to assure their qualities. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a well-suited method to characterize organic compounds, particularly when coupled with multivariate analysis methods. This review article introduces scientific and technical reports using the NIRS to evaluate food, agriculture, and forest products. Overall, basic spectroscopic research is continuously progressing; indeed, in combination with big-data information technology and spectral imaging techniques, material analysis is improving to maximize performance. Portable and low-cost devices have also been designed and produced, enabling remote analysis. Future advancements are expected to result in its applications in even more fields for online or at-line quality monitoring.