Amod Madurapperumage is a PhD student who works at the CU Pulse Quality and Breeding lab! Utilizing his chemistry background, he has been working on his research project surrounding the Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTMIR) machine and its ability of high throughput for phenotyping traits in pulse crops. When measuring for concentrations of amino acids, especially sulfur containing amino acids, the methodology can be challenging and time consuming. Traditional methods require two to three days for sample digestion before amino acid quantification using instruments like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which are low-throughput and expensive.
The study introduces the FTMIR Spectroscopy machine as a promising alternative for its cheaper costs, speedier delivery of data, as well as increased accuracy due to its ability to range over multiple wavelengths due to utilizing interferometers and FT algorithms. In particular, the MIR spectrum is highlighted for its ability to provide quantitative data from unique functional group oscillations, making it superior for consistent chemometrics with greater selectivity and sensitivity. Looking into other methods of gathering data such as the Dumas method (which uses nitrogen analysis through combustion) or UV-Visible spectroscopy, there is a clear separation in the destructive nature of the machines towards the sample as well as other factors such as extended analysis time and higher expenses. To quote from Amod’s paper, “Amino acid analysis, for example, costs over $100 per sample. Total protein analysis is less expensive at ∼$6 but remains a constraint when analyzing thousands of samples.” Following up on that quote, the paper immediately shows how FTMIR solves these objectives stating, “T-MIR spectroscopy is a nondestructive, high-throughput approach requiring little operating costs or training.”
Overall, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTMIR) is a valuable method for measuring total protein and sulfur-containing amino acids in pulse crops. This unique tool allows for the measurement of nutrient traits with low concentrations by examining functional groups all while done at higher speeds, with more accuracy, and at a much lower cost to the research lab.
Read Amod’s paper here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00239
