Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the determination of carotenoid antioxidants and similar chemical compounds in biological tissue such as living skin. The method and apparatus provide a noninvasive, rapid, accurate, and safe determination of carotenoid levels which in turn can provide diagnostic information of the antioxidant status of tissue. Reflection spectroscopy is used to measure the concentrations of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. White light is directed upon the area of tissue that is of interest. A small fraction of diffusively scattered light is collected and measured. The tissue is pressured to temporarily squeeze blood out of the measured tissue volume while the reflection spectrum is continuously monitored, displayed, and analyzed in near real time. After an optimal time period of typically 15 seconds, the influence of the dominating hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin tissue absorptions on the reflection spectra are minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the determination of carotenoid antioxidants and similar chemical compounds in biological tissue such as living skin. The method and apparatus provide a noninvasive, rapid, accurate, and safe determination of carotenoid levels which in turn can provide diagnostic information of the antioxidant status of tissue. Reflection spectroscopy is used to measure the concentrations of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. White light is directed upon the area of tissue that is of interest. A small fraction of diffusively scattered light is collected and measured. The tissue is pressured to temporarily squeeze blood out of the measured tissue volume while the reflection spectrum is continuously monitored, displayed, and analyzed in near real time. After an optimal time period of typically 15 seconds, the influence of the dominating hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin tissue absorptions on the reflection spectra are minimized.

Abstract: Macular pigments are measured by spectrally selective lipofuscin detection. Light from a light source that emits light at a selected range of wavelengths that overlap the absorption band of macular carotenoids is directed onto macular tissue of an eye for which macular pigment levels are to be measured. Emitted light is then collected from the macular tissue. The collected light is filtered so that the collected light includes lipofuscin emission from the macular tissue at an excitation wavelength that lies outside the macular pigment absorption range and outside the excitation range of interfering fluorophores. The collected light is quantified at each of a plurality of locations in the macular tissue and the macular pigment levels in the macular tissue are determined from the differing lipofuscin emission intensities in the macula and peripheral retina.

Abstract: Macular pigments are measured by spectrally selective lipofuscin detection. Light from a light source that emits light at a selected range of wavelengths that overlap the absorption band of macular carotenoids is directed onto macular tissue of an eye for which macular pigment levels are to be measured. Emitted light is then collected from the macular tissue. The collected light is filtered so that the collected light includes lipofuscin emission from the macular tissue at an excitation wavelength that lies outside the macular pigment absorption range and outside the excitation range of interfering fluorophores. The collected light is quantified at each of a plurality of locations in the macular tissue and the macular pigment levels in the macular tissue are determined from the differing lipofuscin emission intensities in the macula and peripheral retina.

Abstract: Macular pigments are measured by spectrally selective lipofuscin detection. Light from a light source that emits light at a selected range of wavelengths that overlap the absorption band of macular carotenoids is directed onto macular tissue of an eye for which macular pigment levels are to be measured. Emitted light is then collected from the macular tissue. The collected light is filtered so that the collected light includes lipofuscin emission from the macular tissue at an excitation wavelength that lies outside the macular pigment absorption range and outside the excitation range of interfering fluorophores. The collected light is quantified at each of a plurality of locations in the macular tissue and the macular pigment levels in the macular tissue are determined from the differing lipofuscin emission intensities in the macula and peripheral retina.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the determination of carotenoid antioxidants and similar chemical compounds in biological tissue such as living skin. The method and apparatus provide a noninvasive, rapid, accurate, and safe determination of carotenoid levels which in turn can provide diagnostic information of the antioxidant status of tissue. Reflection spectroscopy is used to measure the concentrations of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. White light is directed upon the area of tissue that is of interest. A small fraction of diffusively scattered light is collected and measured. The tissue is pressured to temporarily squeeze blood out of the measured tissue volume while the reflection spectrum is continuously monitored, displayed, and analyzed in near real time. After an optimal time period of typically 15 seconds, the influence of the dominating hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin tissue absorptions on the reflection spectra are minimized.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method, preferably Raman scattering, is used to rapidly determine the general health or stress status of living plants and plant products, including agricultural crops, forests, and harvested fruits and vegetables. In the preferred embodiments, carotenoid levels are used to provide an indication of oxidative deterioration. Based upon the results of the analysis, further action may or may not be taken, for example, in terms of choosing, picking, harvesting or sorting the agricultural product in accordance with the carotenoid level. Concentration levels of an analyte substance can be determined relative to an external standard, to each other, or relative to another substance in the item being analyzed.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method, preferably Raman scattering, is used to rapidly determine the general health or stress status of living plants and plant products, including agricultural crops, forests, and harvested fruits and vegetables. In the preferred embodiments, carotenoid levels are used to provide an indication of oxidative deterioration. Based upon the results of the analysis, further action may or may not be taken, for example, in terms of choosing, picking, harvesting or sorting the agricultural product in accordance with the carotenoid level. Concentration levels of an analyte substance can be determined relative to an external standard, to each other, or relative to another substance in the item being analyzed.