Comparative evaluation of protein content in groundnut samples by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and Skalar colorimetric methods

S Chaudhury et al., 'Comparative evaluation of protein content in groundnut samples by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and Skalar colorimetric methods', Current Science, vol. 110(12), pp.2219-2220, Indian Academy of Sciences, 2016

A lot of research has been done in developing groundnut cultivars with high-quality oil. As a result, methods for routinely determining oil content and quality have been developed and utilized1. However, groundnut is also a source of protein, and obviously, there is a need to develop a rapid, accurate and economic method that can be routinely used for screening a large number of groundnut cultivars for protein content. At the ICRISAT analytical service laboratory, protein (total N) in various crops is routinely determined by colorimetric method using Skalar auto analyser. However, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) also provides an opportunity to determine protein content in groundnut samples; and the method seems attractive as it is low cost, simple and rapid. The NIRS based method provides an automated measurement and has the potential to become a valuable tool for providing analytical support for agricultural research2,3. The objectives of this study were to estimate and compare the relative efficacy of the NIRS method, with that of a conventional colorimetric method, following digestion of ground samples, using Skalar autoanalyser for determining protein in groundnut samples