Near- versus Mid-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Determination of the Composition of Forages and By-Products

The objective of this work was to explore the relative value of near- and mid-infrared diffused reflectance spectroscopy in determining the composition of forages and by-products. Sixty-seven samples consisting of 15 alfalfa, 16 tall fescue and 15 orchard grass hays, 10 corn stovers and 11 wheat straws at various stages of maturity were examined by diffuse reflectance using a scanning monochromator (1100–2500 nm), a Fourier near infrared spectrometer (10,000–4000 cm−1, 4 and 16 cm−1 resolution, neat and 5% sample in KBr) and a Fourier mid-infrared spectrometer (4000–400 cm−1, 4 and 16 cm−1 resolution, neat and 5% sample in KBr). Samples were analysed chemically and spectroscopically for fibres, in vitro digestibility, crude protein, nitrobenzene oxidation products and various measures of lignin content. The results showed that diffuse mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy can perform as well as, and sometimes better than, diffuse near infrared spectroscopy in determining the composition of forages and by-products. In addition, Fourier near infrared spectroscopy did not perform as well as either near infrared using a scanning monochromator or the Fourier mid-infrared spectrometer. Finally, diluting samples with KBr was not beneficial for either Fourier based determinations. Additional work with more diverse data sets and various Fourier instrument configurations will be needed to further define the limits and usefulness of Fourier transform near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy in the determination of forage and by-product composition.