In situ study of water uptake by the seeds, endosperm and husk of barley using infrared spectroscopy

• Attenuated total reflectance was used to assess in situ and non-destructively water uptake.
• Different patterns in the mid infrared spectra of different barley varieties were observed.
• Calibrations for water uptake were obtained for each variety using mid infrared.

Variations in the amount and rates of water uptake influence the seed hydration as well as the modification of the endosperm for industrial uses (e.g., malting). The aim of this study was to investigate and interpret absorption frequencies in the mid infrared (MIR) region associated with water uptake in whole seeds, husk and endosperm of barley seeds during the initial period of soaking in water. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models for the prediction of water uptake in the set of samples yield a coefficient of determination (R2) and a standard error in cross validation of 0.75 and 2.57 (% w/w), respectively. The biological implications of this study are that the first stages of germination can be monitored using the information derived from the MIR spectra. These results also demonstrated that whole seeds, endosperm and husk derived from the same variety or genotype have different patterns in the MIR region.

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