A Review of the Use of Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging (NIR-HSI) Techniques for the Non-Destructive Quality Assessment of Root and Tuber Crops
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This review describes the principles of NIR-HIS techniques combined with relevant image processing tools in relation to their application in determining crucial biochemical quality traits and textural attributes of roots and tuber crops, focusing on cassava and yam. To my mind, this review lacks application aspects, namely providing more elaborate practical examples - which index of quality was measured, which compounds were analyzed, etc. The paper should carry information in an understandable way for scientists who are not familiar with this method. Probably, it is desired to add some information in the text based on information in Table 1
1. lines 37-38, better to paraphrase Wet roots contain 0.1– 0.5% of crude fat, 1-3% of crude protein, and 80–90% carbohydrates. Simultaneously, I ask the coauthors to explain what crude fat means 2. Lines 53-55. It is necessary to avoid receptions Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has proven to be a reliable tool for predicting various quality parameters in many breeding programs, such as cassava, yam, potato, and sweet potato [1]. NIRS has been used successfully to predict important quality parameters, as indicated by several authors [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. 3. Line 60. NIR spectroscopy - NIRS4. line 81 qua-lity, line 85 hardness, 87 evaluation, 93 abbreviation
Author Response
We appreciate your time to review our article. All the comments and observations have been incorporated into the revised version. Also, a cover letter is herewith attached to show each step taken to response to your remarks.
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
A review article must be a thorough and critical review of wxisting literature on the topic. This article accomplish that.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for your critical review of the article and your comment on the quality of the manuscript.
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper reviews the principle of operation and application of Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging (NIR-HSI) techniques. The paper also presents the challenges and prospects of this technology. It is innovative and meaningful. Some shortcomings are as following:
1. The font in the abstract is inconsistent.
2. How near infrared spectrum data with one to one correspondence of food component, should review list, such as starch, lipid or protein correspond to the wavelength in NIRS.
3. The detailed physical parameters and texture using hyperspectral imaging in reference should be added, such as how the data reflects the organizational state of food.
Author Response
Thank you for your time to review our manuscript. All your comments have been addressed in the manuscripts and provided stepwise in the attached cover letter.
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
line 72. Specify contraction as in next lines I see NIR-HSI
lines 107, 108, 387 - correct units (12,500 cm-1)
lines 117, 118 - provide or clarify a range of wavelengths for NIR (SW-NIR) and standard NIR
lines 113-114. Please add one sentence like this. Beer-Lambert-Bouguerre's relationship is a main rule in spectrophotometric analysis that gives a great opportunity to find the concentration of a substance by measuring the absorbance of its solution
lines 120-121 transmission analysis 120 with a long path length, whereas standard NIR is used in diffuse reflection analysis [41] - Please add two sentences that explain transmission analysis and diffuse.......
line 132-134 - reference is absent
Significant correction. I wish the coauthors would add some images , spectra in order to improve the visualization and perception of the paper. For example, reference 90 gives Chemical distribution maps (a) moisture content (b) total anthocyanins of purple sweet potatoes processed by convective hot-air drying and (a1) moisture content (b1) total anthocyanins processed by microwave drying
Please, add some examples. And then a dry text will be saturated by examples with clear explanation
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
We appreciate your painstaking efforts on our review paper. Your observations and comments are quite relevant. In this new version of the manuscript, we have responded to your comments and incorporated your recommendations, which we believe has improved the paper so much. Once again Thank you.
Please find attached the cover letter to highlight our response. A new version of the manuscript has also been uploaded.
Author Response File: Author Response.DOCX
Reviewer 3 Report
Authors have revised all the paper and I recommond the acceptance of the paper at present status.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for your review and recommendation for our paper's acceptance.
Round 3
Reviewer 1 Report
I am pleased with corrections
