Feasibility study of assessing cotton fiber maturity from near infrared hyperspectral imaging technique

Authors: Liu, Yongliang; TAO, FEIFEI - Mississippi State University; YAO, HAIBO - Mississippi State University; KINCAID, RUSSELL - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2023
Publication Date: 11/27/2023
Citation: Liu, Y., Tao, F., Yao, H., Kincaid, R. 2023. Feasibility study of assessing cotton fiber maturity from near infrared hyperspectral imaging technique. Journal of Cotton Research. p 6:21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-023-00158-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-023-00158-7

Interpretive Summary: Fiber maturity is linked directly to fiber breakage and entanglement (neps) during mechanical processing, yarn processing and textile performance, and dye uptake in textile products. It is measured on cotton lint by the established procedures (i.e., cross-sectional image analysis, advanced fiber information system, and Cottonscope) under tightly controlled laboratory environment. There is an increased interest in rapid and accurate analysis of cotton fiber maturity using low-cost and small portable systems. Regarding to this trend, shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR HSI) technique was examined to measure fiber maturity of the locule samples in seed cottons after initial removal of cotton visible trash and as a comparison, a bench-top commercial near infrared (NIR) instrument was used on the well-defined fiber samples. Comparison of partial least squares (PLS) models indicated a great percentage (97.0%) of samples within the 95% agreement range. The results could provide cotton scientists an alternative and rapid tool for assessing cotton fiber maturity in a laboratory environment within one seed cotton sample or between seed cotton samples.

Technical Abstract: Fiber maturity is a key cotton quality property, and its variability in a sample impacts fiber processing and dyeing performance. Currently, the maturity is determined by using established protocols in laboratories under a controlled environment. There is an increasing need to measure fiber maturity using low-cost and small systems. In this study, a laboratory feasibility was performed to assess the ability of shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR HSI) technique for determining the conditioned fiber maturity, and as a comparison, a bench-top commercial and expensive near infrared (NIR) instrument was used. Although SWIR HSI and NIR represents different measurement technologies, consistent spectral characteristics were observed between the two instruments when they were used to measure the maturity of the locule fiber samples in seed cottons and of the well-defined fiber samples, respectively. Partial least squares (PLS) models were established using different spectral preprocessing parameters to predict fiber maturity. The high prediction precision was observed by a lower root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) (< 0.046), higher Rp2 (>0.518), and greater percentage (97.0%) of samples within the 97% agreement range in entire NIR region (1000-2500 nm) without the moisture band at 1940 nm. SWIR HSI has a good potential for assessing cotton fiber maturity in a laboratory environment.