Rapid analyses of dry matter content and carotenoids in fresh cassava roots using a portable visible and near infrared spectrometer (Vis/NIRS)

Authors: IKEOGU, UGOCHUKWU - Cornell University; DAVRIEUX, FABRICE - Cirad, France; DUFOUR, DOMINIQUE - Cirad, France; CEBALLOS, HERNAN - International Center For Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); EGESI, CHIEDOZIE - Cornell University; Jannink, Jean-Luc

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2017
Publication Date: 12/11/2017
Citation: Ikeogu, U., Davrieux, F., Dufour, D., Ceballos, H., Egesi, C., Jannink, J. 2017. Rapid analyses of dry matter content and carotenoids in fresh cassava roots using a portable visible and near infrared spectrometer (Vis/NIRS). PLoS One. 12(12):e0188918. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188918
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188918

Interpretive Summary: Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS) can provide rapid estimates of chemical constituents of different genotypes within a crop with minimal sample preparation. Thus, they can be useful for plant breeders. This study developed calibration models for dry matter content (DMC) and carotenoids in fresh cassava roots using a portable Vis/NIRS system. We examined data pretreatment methods and calibrations on processed and intact root samples. The study showed that calibration performance was higher with processed than intact root samples for all the traits, although intact root models for some traits especially total carotenoid content (TCC) were sufficient for screening purposed. Using three key quality traits as templates, we developed models with processed fresh root samples. Robust calibrations we reestablished for DMC, TCC, and all Trans Beta carotene (ATBC). Coefficient of determination on independent validation set for these traits were also satisfactory. Compared to other methods, Vis/NIRS derived DMC from both intact and processed roots had very high correlation (>.95) with over-drying, better than the correlation between the intact and processed Vis/NIRS DMC. Therefore, the portable Vis/NIRS could be employed for the rapid analyses of DMC and quantification of carotenoids in cassava for nutritional and breeding purposes.

Technical Abstract: Portable Vis/NIRS are flexible tools for fast and unbiased analyses of constituents with minimal sample preparation. This study developed calibration models for dry matter content (DMC) and carotenoids in fresh cassava roots using a portable Vis/NIRS system. We examined the effects of eight data pre-treatment combinations on calibration models and assessed calibrations on processed and intact root samples. We compared Vis/NIRS derived-DMC to other phenotyping methods. The results of the study showed that the combination of standard normal variate and de-trend (SNVD) with first derivative calculated on two data points and no smoothing (SNVD+1111) was adequate for a robust model. Calibration performance was higher with processed than the intact root samples for all the traits although intact root models for some traits especially total carotenoid content (TCC) (R2c = 96%, R2cv = 90%, RPD = 3.6 and SECV = 0.63) were sufficient for screening purposes. Using three key quality traits as templates, we developed models with processed fresh root samples. Robust calibrations were established for DMC (R2c = 99%, R2cv = 95%, RPD = 4.5 and SECV = 0.9), TCC (R2c = 99%, R2cv = 91%, RPD = 3.5 and SECV = 2.1) and all Trans Beta-carotene (ATBC) (R2c = 98%, R2cv = 91%, RPD = 3.5 and SECV = 1.6). Coefficient of determination on independent validation set (R2p) for these traits were also satisfactory for ATBC (91%), TCC (88%) and DMC (80%). Compared to other methods, Vis/NIRS-derived DMC from both intact and processed roots had very high correlation (>0.95) with the ideal oven-drying than from specific gravity method (0.49). There was equally a high correlation (0.94) between the intact and processed Vis/NIRS DMC. Therefore, the portable Vis/NIRS could be employed for the rapid analyses of DMC and quantification of carotenoids in cassava for nutritional and breeding purposes.