1Chapter 1 Use of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for Nondestructive Analyses of Sesame

The genetic improvement of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) constituents and their fatty acid (FA) composition are central research subjects (Mosjidis 1984; Tashiro 1989). However, the determination of these constituents by conventional methods is tedious and time-consuming. We need a simple and rapid analytical method for screening sesame varieties and lines. Since the cultivars and lines are very precious in a breeding project, a nondestructive analytical method is desirable so that we can plant the samples after analyses.