Preliminary results of an interlaboratory study of chemometric software and methods on NIR data. Predicting the content of crude protein and water in forages

Within the framework of the ‘European Network for the Intercomparison of Chemometric Software and Methods,’ a project supported by the European Commission, we have carried out a proficiency study on a near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) data set to determine how different the results from several laboratories were when they used their preferred multivariate calibration method and software. The data set was distributed to six participants, all of whom had previous knowledge and experience on multivariate calibration. The data consisted of NIR spectra of 305 forage samples recorded under the same conditions by a specialised laboratory. Two parameters were predicted, moisture at 103–105 °C and crude protein content. Results showed that the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values obtained by all laboratories were acceptable, although they varied considerably. These results were preliminary and they will be used to properly define a final proficiency study in which more participants will collaborate.