RT Journal Article
T1 Near- and Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy for the Rapid and Non-Destructive Analysis of Wheat Flour and Wheat-Based Products: A Review
A1 España Fariñas, M. Pilar
A1 Cazón Díaz, Patricia
A1 Romero Rodríguez, María de los Ángeles
K1 Wheat flour
K1 Near-infrared spectroscopy
K1 Mid-infrared spectroscopy
K1 Chemometrics
K1 Quality control
K1 Food safety
K1 Adulteration detection
AB Wheat flour and its derivatives are staple foods worldwide, making their quality and safety essential for the food industry and consumers. Conventional analytical methods are often slow, costly, and destructive. In recent years, infrared spectroscopy, particularly near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR), has emerged as a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive alternative for wheat flour assessment. This review summarizes recent advances in applying these techniques to determine quality parameters, monitor functional properties, detect adulterants, verify authenticity, and evaluate contamination risks. The integration of spectroscopy with chemometric methods and machine learning has improved predictive accuracy and robustness, supporting real-time and in situ analysis. In addition, the use of calibration models, wavelength selection strategies, and deep learning approaches has further enhanced analytical performance. Overall, NIR and MIR spectroscopy stand out as key tools to optimize quality control and safety in wheat flour, contributing to fast, reliable, and sustainable analytical systems for the food industry.
PB Elsevier
SN 0308-8146
SN 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148379
YR 2026
FD 2026-02-11
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46526
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46526
LA eng
NO Food Chemistry Volume 508, Part A, 15 April 2026, 148379
NO This work was supported by the “Cátedra do Pan e do Cereal”, Institutional Catedral of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Ref. 2018-Ad003) and funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2021–2023” (PID2021-123905OB-I00) and Government of Galicia Department of Education Science Universities and Professional Training (ED431C 2023/07). The author Patricia Cazón is grateful for the financial support of the Xunta de Galicia postdoctoral fellowship (N°. ED481D-2024-015). The author M Pilar España Fariñas is grateful for the financial support of the Xunta de Galicia predoctoral fellowship (N°. ED481A-2025-206).
DS Minerva
RD 21 may 2026