Assessment of nitrate levels in greenhouse-grown spinaches by Raman spectroscopy: A tool for sustainable agriculture and food security

Excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in vegetable cultivation has raised significant environmental and health concerns, driving the need for sustainable fertilization practices. Spinach, known for its propensity to accumulate nitrates, demands precise monitoring tools. This study investigates...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paolo Matteini, Carmelo Distefano, Marella de Angelis, Giovanni Agati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325002108
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in vegetable cultivation has raised significant environmental and health concerns, driving the need for sustainable fertilization practices. Spinach, known for its propensity to accumulate nitrates, demands precise monitoring tools. This study investigates the potential of Raman spectroscopy for quantifying nitrate levels in greenhouse-grown spinach, utilizing multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models. Both models exhibit strong predictive performance, with R2 exceeding 0.8. Furthermore, integrating Raman spectroscopy with optical sensors like the Dualex can further enhance nitrate prediction accuracy. These findings underscore the feasibility of this non-destructive, scalable approach, offering a promising solution for sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental protection.
ISSN:2666-1543