Near-Infrared Reflectance Instrument Analysis of Grain Constituents: A Cost Study.

摘要

Costs of using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) instruments for determining protein and moisture content of grains and their products are synthesized for five levels of operation: 5, 10, 20, 40,and 80samples per shift. Variable costs are substantially greater than fixed costs,with operator wages the major contributing factor. Cost comparisons between NIR per-sample estimates and charges for Kjeldahl sample analysis by commercial laboratories indicate lower NIR costs at 20, 40,and 80samples per shift. If economic value were placed on advantageous factors of the NIR method over the Kjeldahl method,cost comparison would be even more favorable for the NIR method.