Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and simple algorithm analysis for rapid and non-destructive assessment of developmental cotton fibers

Authors: Liu, Yongliang; Kim, Hee-Jin

Submitted to: Sensors
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2017
Publication Date: 6/22/2017
Citation: Liu, Y., Kim, H.J. 2017. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and simple algorithm analysis for rapid and non-destructive assessment of developmental cotton fibers. Sensors. 17(7):1469. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17071469.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s17071469

Interpretive Summary: Chemical composition and structural aspect within the cotton fibers at different growth stages have been investigated considerably through a number of well-defined protocols. However, traditional chemical method to determine cellulose (a majority of cotton fiber) content is time-consuming and labor-intensive, mostly owing to its slow hydrolysis (a process involving the chemical breakdown of a cellulose molecule due to reaction with water). As one approach, an optical technique known as attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy method has been utilized to monitor the cotton cellulose formation, by implementing a few spectral wavelength analysis strategies. This study revealed the suitability and utility of ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, combining with simple mathematical calculations, in assessing cotton fiber cellulose content, maturity, and crystallinity rapidly, routinely, and non-destructively.

Technical Abstract: With cotton fiber growth or maturation, cellulose content in cotton fibers increases apparently. Traditional chemical methods have been developed to determine cellulose content, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive mostly owing to slow hydrolysis process of fiber cellulose component. As one approach, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy technique has also been utilized to monitor the cotton cellulose formation, by implementing various spectral interpretation strategies of both multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and 1-, 2- or 3-band/-variable intensity or intensity ratios. The main objective of this study was to compare the correlations between cellulose content determined by chemical analysis and ATR FT-IR spectral indices acquired by the reported procedures, among developmental Texas Marker-1 (TM-1) and immature fiber (im) mutant cotton fibers. Unlike the PCA, IR ratio 1372/2900 and the integrated intensity of the 664 cm-1 band, it was observed that the R value, CIIR, and the integrated intensity of the 895 cm-1 band exhibit strong and linear relationships with cellulose content. The result has demonstrated the suitability and utility of ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, combining with simple algorithm analysis, in assessing cotton fiber cellulose content, maturity, and crystallinity rapidly, routinely, and non-destructively.