Complete Reduction to Amplitude Frequency Table (CRAFT)-A perspective

The CRAFT (Complete Reduction to Amplitude Frequency Table) technique, based on Bayesian analysis approach, converts FID and/or interferogram (time domain) to a frequency-amplitude table (tabular domain) in a robust, automated, and time-efficient fashion. This mini review/perspective presents an introduction to CRAFT as a processing workflow followed by a discussion of several practical 1D and 2D examples of its applicability and associated benefit. CRAFT provides high quality quantitative results for complex systems without any need for conventional preprocessing steps, such as phase and baseline corrections. Two-dimensional time domain data are typically truncated, particularly in the evolution dimension, and conventional processing after zero-filling and t(1max)-matched apodization masks potentially available peak resolution. The line broadening introduced by extensive zero-filling and severe apodization functions leads to the lack of clear resolution of cross peaks. CRAFT decimation of interferograms, on the other hand, requires minimal or no apodization prior to extraction of the NMR parameters and significantly improves the spectral linewidth of the cross peaks along F-1 dimension compared to conventional (FT) processing. The tabular representation of the CRAFT2d cross peaks information can be visualized in a variety of frequency domain formats for conventional spectral interpretation as well as quantitative applications. A simple workflow to generate in silico oversampled interferogram (iSOS) is presented, and its potential benefit in CRAFT decimation of highly crowded 2D NMR is demonstrated. This report is meant as a collective thesis to present a potentially new paradigm in data processing that questions the need for hitherto unchallenged preprocessing steps, such as phase and baseline correction in 1D and zero-fill/severe apodization in 2D.