Chapter 19
Bio-applications of NIR Spectroscopy
Christian W. Huck
Abstract Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy occupies a distinct spot as an investigation tool in bioscience. It gained an ultimate value in several areas of application, e.g.,
in characterization of plant material, examination of body fluids, exploration of the
structure and properties of water and biomolecules in aqueous environment. On the
other hand, certain limitations of this technique have been apparent and its full potential seems yet to be unveiled. In recent years, key advancements in technology and
methods have pushed the frontier of NIR spectroscopy in bio-applications. Trendsetting studies demonstrated the capacity of NIR spectroscopy to excel in previously
unattainable scenarios such as in vivo examination of entire organisms. The advent
of miniaturized instrumentation enabled a new spectrum of applications in plantrelated research. Advancements in data analytical methods decisively pushed the
limit in interpretability of NIR spectra, enabling better understanding of NIR spectral
features of biomolecules. These advancements were accompanied by a continuous
refinement of established approaches. This chapter discussed the established applications, current developments and future prospects of NIR spectroscopy in broadly
understood bio-applications.
Keywords Bio-applications · NIR biospectroscopy · Plant analysis · Biomolecules
19.1 Introduction
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy occupies a particular spot across the field of
bioscience. On the one hand, it has become the tool-of-choice in various applications concerning the assessment of bio-related samples, e.g., in medicinal plant
analysis or quality control of natural products. On the other hand, in several fields
such as in-laboratory bioanalytical research and biomedical diagnosis, it steadily
gains in importance and challenges the related techniques such as IR or Raman spectroscopies that are well-established tools therein. Because of several reasons, in the
C. W. Huck (B)
Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Center for Chemistry and
Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
e-mail: Christian.W.Huck@uibk.ac.at
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_19
413
Bio-applications of NIR Spectroscopy
Christian W. Huck
Abstract Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy occupies a distinct spot as an investigation tool in bioscience. It gained an ultimate value in several areas of application, e.g.,
in characterization of plant material, examination of body fluids, exploration of the
structure and properties of water and biomolecules in aqueous environment. On the
other hand, certain limitations of this technique have been apparent and its full potential seems yet to be unveiled. In recent years, key advancements in technology and
methods have pushed the frontier of NIR spectroscopy in bio-applications. Trendsetting studies demonstrated the capacity of NIR spectroscopy to excel in previously
unattainable scenarios such as in vivo examination of entire organisms. The advent
of miniaturized instrumentation enabled a new spectrum of applications in plantrelated research. Advancements in data analytical methods decisively pushed the
limit in interpretability of NIR spectra, enabling better understanding of NIR spectral
features of biomolecules. These advancements were accompanied by a continuous
refinement of established approaches. This chapter discussed the established applications, current developments and future prospects of NIR spectroscopy in broadly
understood bio-applications.
Keywords Bio-applications · NIR biospectroscopy · Plant analysis · Biomolecules
19.1 Introduction
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy occupies a particular spot across the field of
bioscience. On the one hand, it has become the tool-of-choice in various applications concerning the assessment of bio-related samples, e.g., in medicinal plant
analysis or quality control of natural products. On the other hand, in several fields
such as in-laboratory bioanalytical research and biomedical diagnosis, it steadily
gains in importance and challenges the related techniques such as IR or Raman spectroscopies that are well-established tools therein. Because of several reasons, in the
C. W. Huck (B)
Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Center for Chemistry and
Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
e-mail: Christian.W.Huck@uibk.ac.at
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_19
413