Calibration model using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for estimation of SCO content in solid-state fermented mass was established. The NIRS calibration model was derived by partial least-squares (PLS) regression and prediction of SCO contents of independent solid-state fermented mass samples fermented by different oleaginous fungi showed the model to be rapid and accurate, giving R-2-value higher than 0.9552 and root mean standard error of prediction (RMSEP) value lower than 0.5772%. The established NIRS calibration model could be used to estimate the SCO contents of the solid-state fermented masses and will provide much convenience to the research of SCO production in solid-state fermentation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.