Near-infrared spectroscopy in quality control of Piper nigrum: A comparison of performance of benchtop and handheld spectrometers

Developing effective ways for controlling the quality of natural products that are sold in high volume worldwide is currently one most urgent goals analytical chemistry. Black pepper ( Piper nigrum ) a major spice constitutes 34% global market. highly prone to variations, arising from alteration piperine content. Miniaturized NIR spectroscopy offers high-throughput, cost-effective and laboratory independent technique control black pepper. Handheld spectrometers differ implemented technology, with impact on their performance unit cost. In this work, three miniaturized instruments quantification whole milled seeds was investigated. With HPLC method used as reference analysis, partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were constructed spectra while prediction accuracy respect spectrometer monitored through root mean square error (RMSEP) determined an test set validation. Prediction content achieved RMSEP 0.18% using benchtop Büchi NIRFlex N-500; handheld offered, respectively, 0.22% (microPHAZIR), 0.26% (MicroNIR 2200) 0.42% (SCiO). contrast, analysis seeds, only N-500 (RMSEP: 0.30%) Viavi MicroNIR 2200 0.37%) gained reliable results. The Thermo Scientific microPHAZIR satisfactory 0.75%). consumer-aimed SCiO (Consumer Physics) found adequate samples, unsuccessful. To gain better understanding features PLSR pepper, quantum mechanical simulation absorption bands performed. This step enabled elucidating chemical information relevant calibration model, interpreting difference compared statistical parameters below acceptable levels. • In-depth evaluation instrumental NIRS. 3 hand-held devices (1 consumer-oriented) instrument. Case study, leading market: pepper/alkaloid piperine. Simulation spectra: insight into sample vs. physical properties.