Determination of total viable count (TVC) in chicken breast fillets by near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopic transforms

► Spectral parameters were compared to improve the accuracy of PLSR models. ► Wavelengths were selected for different calibration models by stepwise regression. ► The simplified PLSR model based on K-M spectra gave the best performance. ► Prediction maps can be used to test the adaptability of calibration models. ► Hyperspectal imaging (910-1700 nm) is powerful in quantifying TVC in chicken fillets.