Multivariate Classification of Sound and Insect-Infested Seeds of a Tropical Multipurpose Tree, Cordia Africana , with near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used to classify insect-infested and sound seeds of a tropical multipurpose tree, Cordia africana Lam. A calibration model derived by partial least squares regression of orthogonal signal corrected spectra resulted in a 100% classification rate. Difference spectrum and partial least squares weight indicated that absorbance differences between insect-infested and sound seeds might have been due to differences in composition of chitin and cuticular lipid components as well as moisture content. The result shows the possibility of using NIR spectroscopy in the seed cleaning process in the future provided that appropriate sorting instruments are developed.