Unlocking Agricultural Potential: Fast, Cost-Effective, and Non-Destructive Analysis with FTIR Spectroscopy
Pulse crops are highly valued for their rich nutritional content, and breeding programs need optimized workflows to boost nutritional quality and cut down turnaround times. Traditional methods are often complex, costly, and time-consuming. Thus, optimizing workflows is crucial to lower costs, expedite data acquisition, and enhance crop generation efficiency.
FTIR spectroscopy presents a promising alternative due to its minimal sample preparation, rapid analysis, and reduced need for skilled operators. In collaboration with Agilent, the Clemson University Pulse Quality and Nutritional Breeding program has developed methods to analyze major nutrients in food and seeds using the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer. The Clemson team managed to analyze over 200 samples in just eight hours, proving this fast, easy, and affordable approach is an optimal tool for breeding programs. Join the research team in this webinar to discover how their findings are revolutionizing food research.
By attending this presentation, you will learn about:
- Agricultural Challenges: Understand the importance of timely crop information to increase breeding cycles and enhance agricultural productivity.
- Current Methods' Limits: Identify the limitations of current agricultural methods, including the need for expensive instrumentation, highly skilled personnel, time-consuming sample preparation, and long analysis times.
- FTIR Technology: Learn how Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology can overcome these challenges, helping farmers and breeders become more efficient in their breeding programs by providing rapid, accurate, and cost-effective analysis.
Who Should Attend?
- Food scientists
- Agricultural scientists, researchers, and specialists
- Food processors
- Crop breeders, managers
- Agronomists and seed technologists
Presenter: Dil Thavarajah (Professor, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA)
Dil Thavarajah is a professor at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University. She leads the Pulse Quality and Nutritional Breeding program, developing organic pulse cultivars, and serves as a Jefferson Science Fellow to build international agriculture and food security in the Middle Eastern Region. Before her current role, Dil contributed to the Canadian lentil biofortification program at the University of Saskatchewan. She established the National Pulse Quality and Nutrition Laboratory at North Dakota State University, Fargo, to support the US Pulse industry's nutritional marketing efforts. Internationally recognized for her expertise in pulse biofortification, particularly for minerals (iron, zinc, and selenium), prebiotic carbohydrates, and proteins. She is a key research partner with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), working to release biofortified lentil cultivars for Africa.
Presenter: Leung Tang (Applications Scientist, Agilent Technologies LDA, Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Leung Tang has established a distinguished career in scientific research and technology. At Agilent Technologies, Leung is responsible for designing, implementing, and collecting experimental data in conjunction with consultation of the chemistries at play. This role also involves analyzing and disseminating data to develop and test chemometric models. Before joining Agilent, Leung worked at A2 Technologies, training customers using portable FTIR. In both roles, he created many application notes and collected experimental data. Additionally, Leung held several postdoctoral positions at the University of Strathclyde, working on state-of-the-art instruments to progress advanced materials such as aerogel, hydrogen storage materials, and composites.
Presenter: Thava (Pushparajah) Thavarajah (Business Development/Adjunct, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA)
Thava Thavarajah is a science and business expert passionate about human potential and innovation. He has developed chemistry, food, and nutrition solutions and supervised award-winning teams, including student startups. Thava has authored over 70 articles and given 100 talks in 10 countries. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with several awards. His education includes a Ph.D. in Chemistry, an MBA, an MSc in Nutrition, a BSc in Agriculture, and certificates from Stanford. He has worked in various industries and countries, holding roles such as Food Scientist, Chemist, Manager, Professor, Consultant, Director, and Business Developer.
