Near infrared spectroscopy : principles and applications in the animal feed industry

Abstract

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is very commonly used in numerous industries and is at the origin of alarge number of analytical applications. This article presents in a synthetic way, the principle of NIRS andits applications in the feed industry. First, the fundamental bases of vibrational spectroscopy are simply presented. The principles of various commercial NIR instruments are then described. The statistical aspects of calibration are also briefly explained. The last partis devoted to the analytical applications: analysis of the main components of food stuff, assessment of their nutritional values (digestibility, metabolisable energy) for monogastric and ruminant animals.