During the past few years main topics of research were the development and practicable use of new NIR spectroscopic rapid methods. In this context calibration equations have been developed for various wild and cultivated plant species aiming to predict the individual content of valuable components. In order to perform quantitative measurements, at first suitable calibration models based on reference data (e.g. chromatography data, chemical-physical parameters) have to be developed. For this, powerful multivariate statistical procedures are used which supply qualitative as well as quantitative prediction results of individual components or sum parameters. Till now numerous NIRS calibration models have been developed for various valuable components. In this context spectroscopic measurements were performed on the following medicinal and aromatic plants as well as tea plants:

• e.g. fennel, caraway, coriander, dill, pepper, mint species, marjoram, sage, milfoil, rosemary, thyme, camomile, green tea, rooibos, devil`s claw, echinacea

Moreover, powerful NIRS methods are also available for fast and non-destructive determinations of various quality parameters in carrots, apples, tomatoes and straw- berries (e.g. carotenoid content, fruit sugar content, peel firmness, compressive firmness, dry matter content).