Evaluation of an electronic nose to assess fruit ripeness

The main goal of our study was to see whether an artificial olfactory system can be used as a nondestructive instrument to measure fruit maturity. In order to make an objective comparison, samples measured with our electronic nose prototype were later characterized using fruit quality techniques. Th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Brezmes Llecha, Jesús, López Fructuoso, Mª Luisa, Llobet Valero, Eduard, Recasens Guinjuan, Inmaculada, Orts Latorre, Jorge, Saiz Laudo, Guillermo, Correig i Blanchar, Xavier, Vilanova Salas, Xavier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:España
Institución:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.udl.cat:10459.1/364
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2004.837495
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/364
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Electronic nose
Fruit ripeness
Neural networks
Pattern recognition
Fruita -- Maduració
Sistemes electrònics
Descripción
Sumario:The main goal of our study was to see whether an artificial olfactory system can be used as a nondestructive instrument to measure fruit maturity. In order to make an objective comparison, samples measured with our electronic nose prototype were later characterized using fruit quality techniques. The cultivars chosen for the study were peaches, nectarines, apples, and pears. With peaches and nectarines, a PCA analysis on the electronic nose measurements helped to guess optimal harvest dates that were in good agreement with the ones obtained with fruit quality techniques. A good correlation between sensor signals and some fruit quality indicators was also found. With pears, the study addressed the possibility of classifying samples regarding their ripeness state after different cold storage and shelf-life periods. A PCA analysis showed good separation between samples measured after a shelf-life period of seven days and samples with four or less days. Finally, the electronic nose monitored the shelf-life ripening of apples. A good correlation between electronic nose signals and firmness, starch index, and acidity parameters was found. These results prove that electronic noses have the potential of becoming a reliable instrument to assess fruit ripeness.