Rapid spectroscopic method to assess moisture content in free andpackaged oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)

JOHANNA MENDES NOVO; ANALIA IRIEL; MARÍA GABRIELA LAGORIO

Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

ELSEVIER GMBH

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016 p. 211 - 214

A spectroscopic study on oregano has been performed in order to find optical parameters that couldbe related to moisture content. Reflectance spectra have been obtained varying excitation wavelengthsfrom the visible to the near infrared (NIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The latter regionwas very sensitive to water content displaying good correlations between reflectance values and mois-ture. Reflectance measurements were also performed by interposing a film of a commercial packingmaterial (composed of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene) between the excitation source andthe oregano sample. We managed to infer the moisture content of the samples through the packagingfrom the measurement of the diffuse reflected light. The results show the applicability of this spectro-scopic technique to the non-destructive sensing of moisture for free or packaged oregano, whenever thewrapping film does not show absorption at 1440 or 1920 nm.