Okinawa NIR-Chemometrics International Symposium

Abstract

We had the Okinawa NIR-Chemometrics International Symposium at the University of the Ryukyus in Naha from 20 to 22 January 2023. It was held at this beautiful island in a wonderful atmosphere – the temperature was around 20 Cwith a splendid blue sky (Figure 1). It was a relatively small symposium but a very exciting one. We invited two special guests, Prof. Federico Marini (Sapienza, University of Rome) and Prof. Jose M. Amigo (University of the Basque Country) (Figures 2 and 3). On the first day, we had a basic seminar for beginners and students. Prof. Yukihiro Ozaki (Kwansei Gakuin University) introduced the principles of NIR spectroscopy with some basic applications to practical ones. Following him, Dr. Akifumi Ikehata (National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)) talked about the introduction to chemometrics including his recent studies on metabolomics. Dr. Mizuki Tuta (NARO) gave a talk on data analysis, and Ms. Miho Sesumi (NARO) explained how to use Python. This was a very important tutorial session, which was attended by many students, including online participants. There were several questions regarding metabolomics, data analysis, Python, and so on. In the evening of the first day, we enjoyed a welcome party at a restaurant with a Ryukyu (Okinawa) style: Ryukyu foods, music, and dance (Figure 4). The second day was the big day. Fede and Jose did fantastic jobs! First, Jose talked about the multi-way analysis in food science. In this talk, he explained the basic principles of multi-way analysis and then the recent progress of this method, mainly based on his studies. Many examples of multi-way analysis were introduced. His second talk was concerned with hyperspectral imaging and its data analysis. The principles of hyperspectral imaging, its data analysis, and several applications in food sciences were explained. Fede talked about the essentials of chemometrics. He spent a lot of time explaining about the design of experiments and data fusions. He explained the fundamental concept of DoE and then introduced multi-way ANOVA and ASCA as methods for analyzing and enhancing multi-way data. He also discussed the use of multiblock analysis techniques for data from multiple sensors. Jose and Fede talked for almost four hours. It is an important opportunity for audiences to learn chemometrics, multi-way analysis, hyperspectral imaging, and PARAFAC. Several other participants, particularly Dr. Arthit Phuphaphud and Associated Prof. Khwantri Saengprachatananarg (Khon Kaen University, Thailand, sugarcane research), Dr. Verena Wiedemair (NARO, sampling methods), Mr. Kittipon Aparatana (Ryukyu University, sugarcane evaluation), Dr. Xinyue Li (NARO, metabolomics), gave nice presentations. In the lunch time and dinner, we had a barbeque party on the farm, having Okinawa’s excellent beef and pork. During the party, we discussed a lot and at the same time deepened our friendship. The last day marked the Japanese culture day; some participants enjoyed “mochituki (pounding steamed sticky rice)” and “kakizome (a special piece of calligraphy for the new year)” at the university.