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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #298010
Title: Preliminary examinations for the identification of U.S. domestic and international cotton fibers by near-infrared spectroscopy

Author
item Fortier, Chanel
item Rodgers Iii, James

Submitted to: FIBERS
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2014
Publication Date: 9/29/2014
Citation: Fortier, C.A., Rodgers III, J.E. 2014. Preliminary examinations for the identification of U.S. domestic and international cotton fibers by near-infrared spectroscopy. FIBERS. 2:264-274. DOI: 10.3390/fib2040264.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is a very versatile natural fiber. Representative applications of cotton fiber, which include but is not limited to making apparel, home furnishings (curtains and mattresses), and medical bandages. The chemical and physical properties of cotton also add greatly to its high marketability. However, along with its positive attributes, cotton is a target for fiber identity theft. Cottons from other countries being passed off as American cottons hurt the U.S. cotton industrial reputation. In addition, some cotton fibers are being passed off as pure cotton fibers when in actuality fiber blends are being used. A novel application of near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with principal components analysis is being presented in the current study. The results reveal that PCA can be used to identify U.S. from international cottons.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is and has been a large cash crop in the United States and abroad for many years. Part of the widespread interest and utility of this product is due to its attractive chemical and physical properties for use in textiles. The textile industry could benefit from the presentation of a quick reliable method to classify U.S. from foreign cottons so the appropriate tariffs can be levied for non-American cottons. In addition, there is some interest in avoiding cotton identity theft. Prior to application in textiles, it has to be proven that the cotton fiber itself can be identified. This study provides an analytical method to identify domestic and foreign cotton fibers using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA). Samples from American cottons were evaluated along with a representative amount of international samples. The results provide a proof of concept that indicate that PCA analysis can be used to separate the respective domestic and foreign cotton groups