Preliminary investigation into the use of Raman spectroscopy for the verification of Australian grass and grain fed beef

Analysis of Raman spectra for the verification of Australian grass‐ and grain‐fed beef using principal component analysis and partial least square models

“…The PCA in this study was additionally able to identify and use more spectral features including 1288, 1296 and 1307 cm −1 ; this may be due to different preprocessing techniques being utilised on the data. The PLS‐DA presented in this paper also highlights the key spectral features that can successfully discriminate between production systems 1066, 1130, 1301, 1440 and 1658 cm −1 ; these spectral differences are more in line with the previous work [ 9 ] and indicate the PCA in this study may be utilising more spectral data than needed.…”

“…Whereas previous research into discriminating between production systems has occurred through PCA, [ 9 ] the PLS‐DA provides a clearer separation of and a lower risk of misclassification as more LV are used. Logan et al [ 9 ] identified spectral peaks at 1069, 1127, 1301, 1445 and 1658 cm −1 ; similarly, the PCA in this investigation identified the spectral features at 1065, 1131, 1299, 1440 and 1658 cm −1 . The PCA in this study was additionally able to identify and use more spectral features including 1288, 1296 and 1307 cm −1 ; this may be due to different preprocessing techniques being utilised on the data.…”

“…Three hundred (300) beef carcases were sampled, comprising 150 grass‐fed animals and 150 grain‐fed animals from two commercial abattoirs (average 50 per day over 3 consecutive days in two sampling periods). Full detail on production systems and diet is outlined by Logan et al [ 9 ] The grain‐fed cattle were fed for 100 days at the same feedlot on a wheat and barley diet, and the grass‐fed cattle were grazed for their lifetime on Southern Australian seasonal pastures, excluding grains. The diets of the cattle sampled were verified through the current supply chain methods and directly with the producers of the sampled carcases.…”

“…These laboratory methods have measured the fatty acid composition of muscle and subcutaneous fat and the concentration of β‐carotene. [ 8–13 ] The disadvantage of utilising these methods is the inability to perform these tests in a processing facility, as they require extensive sample preparation. These methods, however, can provide a reference test that can be utilised to evaluate the effectiveness of new technologies, which are able to provide rapid results.…”

“…Raman spectroscopy is a technology that is suitable for the verification of meat products as it is rapid, noninvasive, nondestructive and capable of providing information on the chemical composition of matter. [ 14 ] Raman spectroscopy has been utilised to show the potential to successfully differentiate between grass‐ and grain‐fed cattle, [ 9 ] although an investigation into different chemometric modelling techniques has not been examined.…”