Nondestructive Quality Assessment Techniques for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

This book describes the various techniques for nondestructive quality assessment of fruits and vegetables. It covers the methods, measurements, operation principles, procedures, data analysis, and applications for implementing these techniques.

The book presents the details of nondestructive approaches focusing on the present-day trends and existing future opportunities in the fresh food supply chain. First, it overviews different nondestructive techniques in food quality detection. Then it presents nondestructive methods: monochrome computer vision, imaging techniques, biospeckle laser technique, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, X-ray computed tomography, ultrasound, acoustic emission, chemometrics, electronic nose and tongue. Selected applications of each method are also introduced. As a result, readers gain a better understanding of how to use nondestructive methods and technologiesto detect the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables.

With a wide range of interesting topics, the book will benefit readers including postharvest & food scientists/technologists, industry personnel and researchers involved in fresh produce quality detection. The book can also serve as a readily accessible reference material for postgraduate students.

Dr. Pankaj Pathare is an Assistant Professor of Postharvest Technology at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He has graduated with a B. Tech degree (Agricultural Engineering) from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (India), and PhD (Process & Chemical Engineering) from the University College Cork (Ireland). Before joining at SQU, he worked as researcher at Newcastle University, UK and Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He has gained expertise on postharvest technology & food engineering which includes quantification of Postharvest losses during transportation, Mechanical damage of perishables, Food agglomeration/granulation, Food drying and cooling and Structural design of corrugated packaging. The research results are well documented in 50 original scientific peer-reviewed journal papers. He also worked as supervisor/co-supervisor for ten postgraduate research students. He is a member of the editorial board of several research journals including PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Open Agriculture, and Journal of Food Quality.