Best of the Week: Analyzing Bone Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Fermentation, Drug Intelligence

This week, Spectroscopy published a variety of articles highlighting recent studies in several application areas. Key techniques highlighted in these articles include Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), near- and mid-infrared (NIR/MIR) spectroscopy. Happy reading!

Analyzing Bone Chemistry with LIBS

At the 2025 SciX Conference, Jorge Caceres, a professor at Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, highlighted how laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) combined with supervised classification offers a fast, accurate method for reassigning mixed or commingled bone remains. In an interview with Spectroscopy, Caceres explained that LIBS captures each individual’s unique elemental fingerprint with minimal preparation, outperforming traditional methods, especially when DNA is unavailable (1). He detailed challenges such as bone heterogeneity and surface contamination, emphasizing the importance of preprocessing and neural network–based algorithms, which achieved 100% accuracy in his study (1). Caceres sees strong potential for LIBS–artificial intelligence (LIBS–AI) workflows to become standard in forensic and bioarchaeological identification (1).

New Review Highlights Spectroscopy Breakthroughs in Monitoring Pharmaceutical Fermentation

A recent review article examined the rapid evolution of vibrational and fluorescence spectroscopic tools for real-time monitoring in pharmaceutical bioprocessing. Driven by Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiatives, techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR), Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and fluorescence spectroscopy are increasingly used for non-invasive, in-line measurement of biomass, metabolites, and coenzymes (2). In their review article, the authors emphasized challenges in complex fermentation media and the need for calibration, robust sensors, and advanced chemometrics (2). With artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled modeling and improved optical probes, the review predicts spectroscopy will play a central role in future automated, continuous biomanufacturing (2).

Comparing GC–MS with Field-Deployable Spectroscopy for Timely Drug Intelligence

A recent study from the University of Lausanne, published in Forensic Science International, evaluated whether portable near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy can accelerate illicit drug profiling compared to traditional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) (3). Profiling delays often hinder investigations, prompting researchers to analyze 277 cocaine samples using GC–MS and compare results with NIR and Raman data. Using Euclidean distance metrics, the team found that both spectroscopic methods could distinguish linked from unlinked samples, with NIR outperforming Raman, though neither matched GC–MS accuracy (3). The authors conclude that rapid, field-deployable spectroscopy can provide early chemical similarity assessments and support faster investigative decision-making (3).

Why Did Saturn’s Rings Disappear on November 22nd?

A recent article explored a recent celestial phenomenon that impacted the planet Saturn and our perception of it. On November 22^nd, Saturn briefly appeared to lose its iconic rings, which is an event known as a ring plane crossing (4). This event occurs every 13–15 years when the rings align edge-on with Earth and become nearly invisible. The article provides an overview of Saturn’s characteristics, its size, composition, moons, and rapid rotation, and it also highlights how spectroscopy is helping scientists study the planet (4). Analytical instruments, such as the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) and the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS), are being used to reveal Saturn’s atmospheric composition, temperature structure, and seasonal changes, while spectroscopic observations confirm that its rings are primarily composed of water ice (4).

Examining Soil and Leaf Properties Using NIR Spectroscopy

A recent study conducted by researchers from several Argentinian institutions investigated how near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can serve as a rapid, non-destructive method for assessing soil and tree traits (5). These traits are crucial for sustainable forest management. The study achieved high accuracy in predicting soil properties, indicating NIR's potential to improve monitoring of ecological dynamics. NIR spectroscopy and genetic data provide complementary insights, capturing phenotypic responses and hereditary lineage (5). However, the researchers acknowledge that further refinements are needed to improve leaf trait prediction accuracy and broaden NIR's applicability in foliage-based monitoring (5).

References

1. Wetzel, W. Analyzing Bone Chemistry with LIBS. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/analyzing-bone-chemistry-with-libs (accessed 2025-12-04).
2. Workman, Jr., J. New Review Highlights Spectroscopy Breakthroughs in Monitoring Pharmaceutical Fermentation. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-review-highlights-spectroscopy-breakthroughs-in-monitoring-pharmaceutical-fermentation (accessed 2025-12-04).
3. Chasse, J. Comparing GC–MS with Field-Deployable Spectroscopy for Timely Drug Intelligence. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/comparing-gc-ms-with-field-deployable-spectroscopy-for-timely-drug-intelligence (accessed 2025-12-04).
4. Wetzel, W. Why Did Saturn’s Rings Disappear on November 22nd? Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/why-did-saturn-s-rings-disappear-on-november-22nd (accessed 2025-12-04).
5. Wetzel, W. Examining Soil and Leaf Properties Using NIR Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/examining-soil-and-leaf-properties-using-nir-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-12-04).