NE179: Technology and Principles for Assessing and Retaining Postharvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[12/27/2000] [11/28/2001] [11/21/2002]

Date of Annual Report: 12/27/2000

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/26/2000 - 10/28/2000
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2000 - 12/01/2000

Participants

Daniel Guyer (guyer@msu.edu) - Michigan State Univ. ;
Gary Hyde (gmhyde@wsu.edu) - Washington State Univ. ;
Yang Tao (ytao@wam.umd.edu) - Univ. of Maryland ;
Mark Mount (mount@fnr.umass.edu) - Administrative Advisor;
Loren Gautz (lgautz@hawaii.edu) - Univ. of Hawaii;
Roger Rohrbach ( rohrbach@eos.ncsu.edu) - North Carolina St. Univ;
Yong Hang (ydh1@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ. - Geneva;
Joseph Irudayraj ( josephi@psu.edu) - Penn. State Univ.;
Renfu Lu (lur@msu.edu) - USDA/ARS at E. Lansing;
Stan Prussia (sprussia@bae.uga.edu) - Univ. of Georgia ;
Darrell Donahue (Darrell_Donahue@umit.maine.edu) - Univ. of Maine;
David Slaughter (dcslaughter@ucdavis.edu) - Univ. California - Davis ;

Guests:

Andre Baritelle (aab030@email.mot.com) - Motorola;
Arturo Correa - Univ. of Hawaii;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Accomplishments and impacts of participants of the NE-179 project, "eTechnology and Principles for Assessing and Retaining Post Harvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables"e, fall within six important areas of focus. Evaluation of internal defects/characteristics/composition has received major emphasis while the area of concepts and applications for sensing food safety has gained significant momentum. Other areas involve external characteristics evaluation, internal chemistry as quality indicator, storage and handling, and methodology of data/sensor information analysis. For each of these areas, the primary intended outcome is to develop new and unique concepts and technology to sense characteristics of fruits and vegetables and to move this technology to commercial application. More specifically, to sense, and ultimately sort for the quality and safety assurance demanded by the marketplace. The overall intended and potential impact is to increase efficiency, security, sustainability, and profitability of the fruit and vegetable industry through such application. Presently, many quality characteristics are evaluated by manual sorting, by off-line laboratory tests or examination, or simply are not evaluated. A goal of this project is to develop systems where quality characteristics can be measured on each individual fruit or vegetable on a packing or processing line. Thus, moving from statistical sampling or no evaluation, to a more absolute evaluation and assurance through 100% evaluation. Technologies of x-ray, near infrared (NIR), multispectral transmittance, optical density, and magnetic resonance are being studied to assess watercore and internal browning of apples, maturity of blueberries, bacterial invasion in onions, sugar content in several commodities, and composition of honey and oils. The ability to detect and assess important quality characteristics that are not detectable by manual sorting (humans) represents the uniqueness and specific impact related to these studies. Research continues on nondestructive evaluation of fruit firmness. This is needed to replace the Magnus Taylor method that is both variable and costly due to the destruction of the large quantity of fruit sampled. Such development could eliminate the destructive losses and also may have the potential to sort each individual commodity on the line as opposed to relying on a sampling. The firmness methods studied are based on very accurate sensing of small forces and deformations. Technologies of multispectral and hyperspectral imaging are being studied for external defect detection and quantification on apples and cherries. While external defect sorting can be accomplished with human sorters, an automated electro-optic non-destructive system can impact the fruit and vegetable industry by bringing increased speed, accuracy, and consistency to the sorting process. For many of the commodities and concepts, studies for both internal and external quality sensing are recognizing the need for specific orientation of each unit to increase accuracy of the system. Participants of the project are addressing this need with studies on a orienting fruit for consistent presentation of each unit to the sensing system. Stakeholders continue to indicate quality sensing are high priorities for their specific commodity industries considering the worldwide competitiveness and diverse alternatives in the marketplace. Cost and regulation on labor also heighten the priority for automated sensing. Experimentation with humidity control technology for optimizing storage environments for specific commodities is under study. For these studies the stakeholder is the home consumer and the impact would be optimizing shelf life and convenience for individual commodities in the home or small storages. This addresses the issue, and fact, that most consumers have a significant portion of their purchased fruits and vegetables spoil prior to consumption due to the inability to optimize storage conditions for each commodity. Fruit and vegetable tissue chemistry is being studied to determine relationships with apple and potato firmness. Components of internal chemistry could serve as potential markers for plant breeders to select fruits for fresh market and processing purposes. Various methods and concepts are under study to address food safety concerns. The two primary areas of concern are pathogen contamination and internal pest infestation. Studies include evaluation of "eelectronic nose"e biosensor technology for online testing and also more fundamental antibody and DNA based assay work toward development of a biosensor. The studies address the broad stakeholder concern of domestic Salmonella and E. coli contamination as well as monitoring of such contamination on fruits and vegetables entering the U.S. from foreign sources. Detection and/or treatment of pest infestations/occurrence in fruits and vegetables is another high priority food safety issue for stakeholders. Radio-frequency (RF) heating is being studied as a quarantine treatment for codling moths on cherries and in-shell walnuts. This work establishes the fundamental kinetics of codling moth mortality and cherry and walnut heat tolerance under RF heating. The impact is cherry and walnut producers can use RF to replace methyl bromide (being phased out) in meeting quarantine requirements for export of these commodities. Pesticides used in production are being phased out and with it the potential for increased occurrence of pests in fruits and vegetables exists. Stakeholders are looking for alternative production control methods while also recognizing there will likely be a need to develop or implement technology to sort commodities for presence of insect larvae. The impact to the industry is on avoiding complete rejection and loss of quantities of final product and loss of markets. Participants of this project have studies which are evaluating NIR and physical property measurements of blueberries and cherries as potential techniques for identification of larvae in these commodities. The sixth area of focus for participants of this project relates to the analysis and prioritization of multiple data and information which may be collected by one or more sensors to classify a quality characteristic. Many of the techniques under study can produce multiple and ranging information. Determining which components, or combination of components, of this information are vital to detecting a quality characteristic is a task in most studies. Principle component analysis (PCA) and neural networks (NN) are two advanced techniques being studied. There is no direct impact on stakeholders related to this area other than this area supports the other focus areas. Technology transfer has occurred for some of the studies under this project. A license has been granted to a private company to develop and market a commercial version of an assay used as a mold bio-sensor for processed tomato juice. An impact sensor was added to an on-line firmness sorting system, resulting in improved sorting accuracy and a major food processor is contracting manufacture of the sorting system for use in monitoring incoming fruits in order to improve the quality of canned products. A relationship exists between one participant and a commercial sorting equipment manufacturer to commercialize an optical density based sorting system for blueberries. Cooperation between participating stations exists in the form of equipment and facility sharing, commodity acquisition, and idea sharing. Multiple cooperative and working relationships exist with entities, primarily commercial, outside the group of official project participants. The number and quality of these relationships appears to be high indicating the potential for increased, and expedited, development and transfer of technologies to stakeholders. Commodities addressed by the various participants working as part of this project are: apples, potatoes, blueberries, pears, cherries, walnuts, prune plums, vidalia onions, peaches, grapes, tomato juice, honey, and plant based oils. Future plans for the project involve most participants continuing to develop and refine the technology they are working with and to broaden the scope of the study to additional commodities. Establishing working relationships beyond the domain of the project group to facilitate concept development and technology transfer remains a priority, however, a high number of such relationships presently exist. This multi-state project will additionally be working to formalize a project rewrite as the focus of the group is addressing some critical stakeholder issues.

Publications

Refereed (in print): Donahue, D. W. and P. W. Benoit, B. J. Lagasse, and W. R. Buss. 2000. Consumer and instrumental evaluation of Maine wild blueberries for the fresh pack market. Postharvest Biology and Technology 19:221-228. Benoit, P. W., D. W. Donahue, A. A. Bushway, J. A. Storey, and T. M. Player. 2000. Surfactant Application System to Prevent Anthocyanin Leakage of IQF Blueberries. Journal of Food Quality, 23(3):271-282. Baritelle, A. L., G. M. Hyde and R. E. Thornton. 2000. Influence of early-season nitrogen application pattern on the impact sensitivity in Russet Burbank potato tubers. Postharvest Biology and Technology 19(2000):273-277. Baritelle, A. L., G. M. Hyde, R. E. Thornton and R. W. Bajema. 2000. A classification system for impact related defects in potato tubers. Amer. J. Potato Res. 77 (2000): 143-148. Baritelle, A. L. and G. M. Hyde. 2000. Strain Rate and Size Effects on Pear Tissue Failure. Trans. of the ASAE 43(1):95-98. Tang, J., J.N. Ikediala, S. Wang, J.D. Hansen, R. P. Cavalieri, 2000. High-temperature-short-time thermal quarantine methods. Post Harvest Biology and Technology. Special Heat Issue, 21(1):129-145. Ikediala, J.N., Tang, J. and Drake, S.R. and Neven, L.G. 2000. Dielectric properties of apples and codling moths in relation to microwave and RF heating. Transactions of the ASAE 43(5). Ikediala, J.N., Tang, J. and Wig Timothy. 2000. Design and analysis of a heating block system for studying thermal effect on insect pests. Transactions of the ASAE 43(2):351-358. Potts, S.J., D.C. Slaughter, and J.F. Thompson. 2000. A Fluorescent Lectin Test for Mold in Raw Tomato Juice. J. of Food Sci., Vol. 65, No. 2. Prussia, S.E. 2000. Soft systems methodologies for modeling postharvest chains. Acta Horticulturae 536:653-660. Refereed (In press): Guyer, D.E. and X. Yang. 2000. Use of genetic neural networks and spectral imaging for defect detection on cherries. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. (In press) Baritelle, A. L. and Hyde, G. M. 2000. Commodity Conditioning to Reduce Impact Bruising. Postharvest Biology and Technology, in press. Bajema, Rick, A. L. Baritelle, G. M. Hyde, and Marvin J. Pitts. 2000. Factors Influencing Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Red Delicious Apple Tissue. Trans. of the ASAE, in press. Irudayaraj, J. and H. Yang. 2000. Food characterization by Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy. Journal of Food Science. (accepted) Sivakesava, S. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. A rapid spectroscopic technique for detecting corn syrup adulteration in selected honey varieties. Journal of Food Science (accepted) Sivakesava, S. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. Detection of adulteration in honey by discriminant analysis using FTIR spectroscopy. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. (accepted) Sivakesava, S. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. Detection of inverted cane sugar adulteration of honey using FTIR spectroscopy. Journal of Food Science. (In Press) Yang, H. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. Evaluation of spectroscopic methods for rapid estimation of olive oil adulteration. Applied Spectroscopy. (accepted) Yang, H. and J. Irudayaraj, S. Sivakesava. 2000. Characterization of edible coatings and microorganisms on produce surface using depth profile analysis. Applied Spectroscopy. (accepted) Sivakesava, S. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. Classification of simple and complex sugar adulterants in honey by midinfrared spectroscopy. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. (accepted) Yang, H. and J. Irudayaraj. 2000. Identification of different microorganisms on apple surface using FTIR-PAS. Applied Spectroscopy. (accepted) Lu, R., D. E. Guyer, and R. M. Beaudry. 2000. Determination of firmness and sugar content of apples using near-infrared diffuse reflectance. Journal of Texture Studies (in print). Prussia, S.E. and D. Birmingham. R3 + D3 = A learning tool for science and engineering. Journal of Engineering Education. (In Press). Shahin, M.A., E. W. Tollner and R W McClendon. 2000. AI classifiers for sorting apples based on watercore. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (accepted). Tollner, E.W., R.L. Schafer and T.K. Hamrita.2000. Sensors and controllers for primary drivers and soil engaging implements. Advances in Soil Dynamics II, Am. Soc. Agr. Engrs., St. Joseph, MI. (In Press). Tollner, E.W. and M.H. Shahin. 2000. X-ray imaging for classifying food products based on internal defects. IN Nondestructive technologies for quality evaluation of fruits and vegetables. Elsevier, New York, NY (In Press). Refereed (Submitted): Throop, J. A., D. J. Aneshansley, B. L. Upchurch and B. Anger. 2000, Apple Orientation on Two Conveyors: Performance and Predictability Based on Fruit Shape Characteristics, Submitted to Tranactions of ASAE, St. Joseph, MI, pp.19. Jung, K. H., R.L. Stroshine, P. M. Hirst, and P. Cornillon. Effects of Watercore and Internal Browning on Low Field (5.35 MHz) Proton Magnetic Resonance Measurements of T2 Values of Whole Apples. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (submitted October 26, 2000). Non refereed: Donahue, D. W., A. A. Bushway, J. M. Smagula, P. W. Benoit, R. A. Hazen. 2000. Assessment of Preharvest Treatments on Maine Wild Blueberry Fruit Shelf-life and Processing Quality. Small Fruits Review, 1(1):23-34. Marrazzo, W.N. and P.H. Heinemann. 2000. A feasibility study for the utilization of Cyrano Sciences Chemical Sensor - Data Logger technology with headspace gases for use in the processed and fresh market apple industries. ASAE Paper No. 00-6107. 9 pp. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. St. Joseph, MI. 18 pp. Miscellaneous reports and manuscripts: Donahue D. W. 2000. Research results for 1999-2000. Final Report to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, University of Maine, Orono, Maine. February and October. Throop, J. A., D. J. Aneshansley, and B. Anger. 2000. A multi-spectral inspection station detects defects on apples. SPIE International Symposium, Agriculture and Safe Food Applications, Biological Quality and Precision Agriculture II, November 5-8, 2000, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. Hang, Y. D. and Woodams, E. E. 2000. Rel;ationship between beta-galactosidase and grape firmness. Book of Abstracts. 39B-9. IFT Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX. Marrazzo, W.M. 2000. A feasibility study for the utilization of Cyrano Sciences chemical sensor-data logger technology for comparing apple, malus domestica Bork H, headspace gasses. Ph.D. dissertation. The Pennsylvania State University. University Park, PA. 234 pp. NeSmith, D.S., S.E. Prussia, and G. Krewer. 1999. Firmness of ‘Brightwell‘ rabbiteye blueberry in response to various harvesting and handling procedures. IN: Blueberry Research at the University of Georgia, 1999 Annual Research Update. D. S. NeSmith (Editor), pp.12-16. University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Research Report Number 662, (December). NeSmith, D.S., S.E. Prussia, and G. Krewer. 1999. Response of some Rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries to mechanical harvesting. IN: Blueberry Research at the University of Georgia, 1999 Annual Research Update. D. S. NeSmith (Editor), pp.17-20, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Research Report Number 662, (December). Prussia, S.E., Y.C. Hung, and A.de Courville. 2000. Modulus of elasticity values from laser air-puff firmness measurements. ASAE technical paper number 00 6111. Shewfelt, R.L., D.M. Granberry and S.E. Prussia. 2000. In search of a great melon. Private report to Farming Technologies, Inc., Dallas TX., 37 pp. Maw, B.W., S.E. Prussia, Y.C. Hung, D.G. Riley, and K. Batal. 2000. Laser puff firmness evaluation of onions. pp. 38-41, IN 1999 Georgia Onion Research - Extension Report. UGA Cooperative Research-Extension Publication No. 3-2000, Tifton, Georgia. Books Edited: Florkowski, W.J., S.E. Prussia, and R.L. Shewfelt. 2000. International Multi-disciplinary Conference: Integrated View of Fruit & Vegetable Quality. Technomic Publishing Col, Inc. 356 pages. Book Chapters: Hung, Y.C. S.E. Prussia, and G.O.I. Ezeike. 2000. Firmness Measurement Methods. Chapter 7 (pp 243-286), In Nondestructive Food Evaluation, S. Gunasekaran (ed.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. Prussia, S.E. 2000. Methods and examples of integration. Ch. 14, pp. 267-284, IN: Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View, R.L. Shewfelt and B. Bruckner (eds.), Technomic Publishing Co. Inc., Lancaster, PA. Prussia, S.E. and J.E. Werner. 2000. Roles and interactions of business links in postharvest chains. IN: Proceedings of the 2nd International Multidisciplinary Conference on An Integrated View of Fruit and Vegetable Quality, Edited by W.J. Florkowski, S.E. Prussia, and R.L. Shewfelt. 1-3 May, Griffin, GA. pp. 31-38. Shewfelt, R.L, S.E. Prussia, and J.H. Dooley. 2000. Quality of fruits and vegetables in home handling systems. IN: Proceedings of the 2nd International Multidisciplinary Conference on An Integrated View of Fruit and Vegetable Quality, Edited by W.J. Florkowski, S.E. Prussia, and R.L. Shewfelt. 1-3 May, Griffin, GA.pp. 273-283.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 11/28/2001

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/03/2001 - 10/05/2001
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2001 - 12/01/2001

Participants

Aneshansley, Dan Cornell-Ithaca dja4@cornell.edu;
Donahue, Darrell Univ. of Maine darrell.donahue@umit.maine.edu;
Guyer, Daniel MI State Univ. guyer@msu.edu;
Hang, Yong Cornell-Geneva ydh1@cornell.edu;
Heinemann, Paul Penn State Univ. hzh@psu.edu;
Hung, Yen Con Univ. of Georgia yhung@griffin.peachnet.edu;
Hyde, Gary Wash. State U. gmhyde@wsu.edu;
Lu, Renfu USDA-ARS-MSU lur@msu.edu;
Mount, Mark Admin. Adv. UMASS mount@fnr.umass.edu;
Rao, Andy Cornell-Geneva mar2@cornell.edu;
Rao, Ram CSREES-USDA rrao@reeusda.gov;
Rohrbach, Roger NC State U rohrbach@eos.ncsu.edu;
Stroshine, Richard Purdue University strosh@ecn.purdue.edu;
Throop, James Cornell-Ithaca jati12@cornell.edu

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

1. To identify, develop, & evaluate methodologies to assess the quality of fruits and vegetables. CA: Methods to detect freeze damage in oranges were investigated. Internal gas measurements were able to distinguish the partially frozen fruit from unfrozen fruit. Differences in fruit drying rate between partially frozen & unfrozen oranges was observed. The impact of the research will be the development of a quantitative sensing technique that can be used by citrus growers to maintain quality for fruit reaching the market place during a freeze event. GA: A 6 hr delay in cooling muscadine grapes caused firmness losses of 20% compared to ones cooled immediately after harvest. Studies with blueberries showed significant differences from FirmTech II measurements due to berry orientation, instrument settings, berry diameter, & nonlinear force/deformation curves. The output of both studies includes: data for deciding if additional cooling equipment is necessary, documented need for standard procedures (for blueberries - calyx horizontal, 50 min & 150 max force, & the need to use only first measurement), evidence showing the limitations of not including diameter or a power on the deformation term. IN: Cornell University provided healthy onions & onions with interbacterial damage for magnetic resonance tests conducted at Purdue (Indiana). The CPMG T2 decay curves of onions were determined using a low field (5.35 MHz) proton magnetic resonance sensor. The T2 decay curves of 7 of the damaged onions were noticeably different from the T2 curves of healthy onions. The fact that the T2 curves of healthy onions are different from the T2 curves of onions with interbacterial damage suggests that, if a more rapid detection pulse sequence can be developed, 1H-MR sensing can be used for nondestructive on-line detection of onions with interbacterial damage. In collaboration with investigators at GA, A revision to ASAE Standard S368.4, on compression testing of food materials of convex shape, was made. MD: New machine vision algorithms were developed to increase the capability and accuracy of detection of apple defects. Dual NIR and MIR imaging methods along with wavelet image analyses were explored for the defect recognition. MI: Concept development studies are investigating potential multispectral wavelengths and imaging for detection of small larvae in cherries. This work is in collaboration with the USDA -- MI. NC: A sample of 540 blueberries were selected with one of six visual stages of maturity. Using a Neural Network trained on 180 berries (one rep) in all three positions, the predicted SS/Acid ratio is correlated to permit surface color sorters for blueberries to be easily converted to a maturity sorting algorithm that will eliminate the overripe blueberries (that spoil quickly) from the fresh market product. NY GENEVA:The effects of calcium chloride solutions, pH, temperature and time on the storage modulus of Russet Burbank potato discs were continuously measured using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer with a heating stage. Calcium chloride increased the storage modulus of Russet Burbank potatoes, with the most effective conditions being 700C and 0.10M calcium chloride. Pectin Methyl Esterase (PME) activity was measured at two calcium chloride concentrations, after 20, 40, and 60 min heating at temperatures from 40 to 800C. PME activity was higher at low heating temperatures (40-500C) but decreased linearly with heating temperature. Purified Beta-galactosidase from Einset Seedless grapes most active at pH 4.5. This enzyme could be used as a potential source of natural biocatalyst for the preparation of lactose-free dairy products. NY ITHACA:An algorithm was developed for predicting the average trim waste by weight from measured bruise contact area of apples. USDA MI: A study on using NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to measure the sugar content and firmness of sweet cherries has been completed with good accuracy. Results showed that a low cost, portable NIR sensor is capable of measuring the sugar content and possibly firmness of apples. A study using an InGaAs NIR area array detector to simultaneously acquire spectroscopic data at different locations from light source to predict fruit sugar content and firmness was begun. Results showed good predictions of the sugar content of apples but the firmness predictions were relatively poor. The NIR study will lead to the development of a low cost, portable sensor for measuring the sugar content and firmness of fruits. This sensor will provide a valuable tool for the grower to make better harvest decisions and will allow the fruit packer, inspector, and retailer to assess fruit postharvest quality more accurately and objectively. PA: Spectroscopic fingerprints of honey from different geographical regions and contamination levels to detect adulterated honey being sold to public was developed. Procedures used to assess hardness and texture of cheese have been applied to assess the quality of pork and beef muscles in a production process. The proposed technology will help the industry to provide consistent quality products to the consumers. FT-Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform photoacoustic spectroscopy has successfully discriminated pathogen (E. coli O157:H7) from non-pathogen (non-pathogenic E. coli). Utilization of portable electronic nose technology to assess biological contaminants in apples was initiated. In order to reduce spread of food-borne human pathogens. WA: A treatment protocol has been developed based on 27 MHz radio frequency energy to control insect pests in in-shell walnuts. Confirmation tests indicate that the protocol does not adversely affect product quality. Specific heat capacity, density, and thermal conductivity of sound and bruised apple tissues were measured to assess why apple bruises warm up more slowly than does surrounding sound tissue, making bruises visible with thermal imaging cameras. Thermal conductivity was found to be significantly higher in bruised tissue than in the sound tissue. Also 70 MPa high hydrostatic pressure closely simulated electrolyte leakage of apple tissue bruised by a drop of 150 mm onto a rigid surface. The RF treatment protocols may soon be used in the industry to replace chemical fumigation for quarantine or phytosanitary treatment of post-harvest nuts and fruits for international and intra-state trade. The method is environmental friendly and leaves no chemical residues on treated commodities. Thermal imaging to detect defects in fruits and vegetables provides another useful tool for quality assurance. The methods and devices developed for food thermal property measurements can be used in food process and quality control. Effects of changes in temperature, hydration and cultivar on bruise threshold and thus on how easily a specific crop will bruise during handling can now be predicted. 2. To develop sensor technology for quantitative measurement of fruit and vegetable properties indicative of quality. ME: Low maggot counts during the 2001 field season reduced the ability to classify the maggot versus non-maggot blueberries. Samples blueberries were provided by MI State and system trouble shooting was provided by UC Davis. Results show that it is possible to find differences between maggot and non-maggot berries at the 707, 976 and 1326 nm wavelengths. Maggot identification in the process line is important to Maine wild blueberry producers and processors as they have identified it as one of the top research areas in their 5-year plan for funding support. CA: A DNA sensor was developed for detection of Salmonella in sprout irrigation water. Initial calibration was done with the fluorescence optical sensor, which detected 0.01 _g/ml DNA in water and PCR product from as low as 4 x 102 CFU. Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been associated with at least eleven outbreaks involving sprouts since 1995. Robust and real-time sensors are needed to monitor the irrigation water during sprouting and detect contaminated lots. USDA MI: A NIR hyperspectral imaging system was developed to detect bruises on apples. Relatively good bruise detection results were obtained with the correct classification rate of up to 94%. Optimal wavelengths and bandwidths were also identified for effective detection of bruises on apples. Research on hyperspectral imaging for bruise detection indicates that this technique has the potential for detecting surface defects of apples such as bruises which will aid in advanced fruit sorter development. WA: Work continues on instrumentation and techniques for assessing fruit and vegetable tissue impact properties including elastic modulus and bruise threshold to predict and control handling damage. 3. To develop methodologies for classification and sensor fusion which facilitate optimal fruit and vegetable quality discrimination. GA: Two hundred each of jumbo and small Vidalia onions were inspected using a linescan x-ray system at a rate of 1 to 2 fruits per second. The system functioned at 90%+ accuracy and false positive rate of 8% or less. X-ray linescan has an accuracy of 90%+ for internal quality evaluation. HI: In collaboration with UC-Davis, coffee samples from four distinct locations (islands) in Hawaii were scanned using near infrared spectroscopy (700-1200 nm). The ability to determine the location of origin from characteristics of the green bean will greatly enhance the specialty coffee market. This will be worth several million dollars to the U.S. coffee industry. IN: A conveyor system is being developed that will be capable of moving fruits and vegetables through the HMR sensor at speeds of 0 to 250 mm/sec. MI: Electronic sorting systems, designed primarily for color sorting, are being evaluated for their ability to remove Japanese beetles from the raw product stream of blueberries. Multispectral reflectance was integrated with fluorescence information from apple tissue for improving accuracy and capability of electronic sorting for apple defect detection and quantification. The development and modeling of a nondestructive system to measure apple firmness and correlate to the destructive Magnus-Taylor method is a study nearing completion. This project is investigating probe design and texture and incorporates a nondestructive minimal force focusing on the bioyield point of the tissue. USDA MI has been collaborating on this project. Scientific unbiased evaluation of commercial equipment and development of new concepts to increase accuracy and capability of electronic sorting equipment assist the industry in making knowledgeable management decisions and provide supplemental strategies to assure insect- and defect-free product. NY ITHACA: An apple conveying system that orients apples regardless of cultivar shape and presents the apple to the camera at a rate of 5 apples/second has been built and is currently being tested. An inspection station capable of internal and external inspection of each apple would provide a consistent method for apple quality evaluation for all apple markets. The new optics eliminated chromatic aberration and reduced light required compared to the previous optics used. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR The current project is scheduled to terminate during the year 2002. The project is being re-written with the following objectives, which will determine the work to be done: 1.Define and measure the engineering properties of fruits and vegetables and their functional relationships to quality. 2.Develop, evaluate and apply rapid non-destructive sensor technology for quantitative measurement of fruit and vegetable quality. 3.Develop, evaluate, and apply rapid sensing technologies to assure food safety including bio-security, purity, and integrity of produce. 4. Integrate sensor technologies with handling and storage systems to retain post harvest quality in fruits and vegetables.

Publications

Anon. 2001. Compression Test of Food Materials of Convex Shape. ASAE S368.4 DEC 00. IN: ASAE Standards, Published by The American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI. Baritelle, A. L. and Hyde, G. M. 2001. Commodity Conditioning to Reduce Impact Bruising. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 21(3): 331-339 [Feb.] Baritelle, A. L., G. M. Hyde, J. K. Fellman and J. Varith. 2001. Using 1-MCP to Inhibit the Influence of Ripening on Impact Properties of Pear and Apple Tissue. Postharvest Biology and Technology PBT 00.011, POSTEC 1807, in press. Benoit, P. W., D. W. Donahue, A. A. Bushway, J. A. Storey, and T. M. Player. 2000. Surfactant Application System to Prevent Anthocyanin Leakage of IQF Blueberries. Journal of Food Quality, 23(3):271-282. Bu-Contreras, R. and Rao, M. A. 2001. Influence of heating conditions and starch on the storage modulus of Russet Burbank and Yukon Gold potatoes. J. Sci. Food and Agriculture (In press). Bu-Contreras, R. and M. A. Rao. 2001. Influence of Heating Conditions and Starch Content on the Storage Modulus of Russet Burbank and Yukon Gold Potatoes. Abstract 44B-7, IFT Annual Meeting, June 23-27, New Orleans, LA. Bu-Contreras, R. and M. A. Rao. 2001. Influence of Pectin Methyl Esterase Activity and Calcium Chloride Solutions on the Storage Modulus of Russet Burbank Potatoes during Heating. Abstract 44B-6, IFT Annual Meeting, June 23-27, New Orleans, LA. Cheng, X. and Y. Tao. 2001. Infrared Imaging and Wavelet-Based Segmentation Method for Apple Defect Inspection. ASAE paper 01-3109. Donahue D. W. 2000. Research results and 5-year plan for 2000-2001. Final Report to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, University of Maine, Orono, Maine. February and October. Guyer, D.E., and Yang, X. 2000. Use of genetic artificial neural networks and spectral imaging for defect detection on cherries. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. Vol 29: p 179-194. Hang, Y.D. and Woodams, E.E. 2001. Purification and charaterization of grape beta-galactosidase. Paper No. 44C-1. IFT Annual Meeting Book of Abstracts. Institute of Food Technologists. Chicago. Hung, Y.-C., S.E. Prussia, and G.O.I. Ezeike. 2001. Firmness-measurement methods. Chapter 7 (pp. 243-285), In Nondestructive Food Evaluation, S. Gunasekaran (ed.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. Ikediala, J.N., Hansen, J., Tang, J., Drake, S.R., Wang, S. 2001. Quarantine treatment of cherries using radio frequency energy and saline-water-immersion technique. Postharvest Biology and Technology, in press. Long, D. W., F. A. Drummond, E. Groden, and D. W. Donahue. 2000. Modeling Beauveria bassiana Horizontal Transmission. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2:19-32. Lu, R, Guyer, D.E., Beaudry, R.M. 2000. Determination of firmness and sugar content of apples using near-infrared diffuse reflectance. Journal of Texture Studies. Vol 31: p 615-630. Lu, R. 2001. Develop of a low cost, portable NIR sensor for assessing internal quality of apples. In the Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Fruit, Vegetable, and Nuts Production Engineering, Potsdam, Germany, September 10-15, 2001. Lu, R. 2001. Predicting firmness and sugar content of sweet cherries using near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Transactions of the ASAE (in print). Lu, R. 2001. Detection of bruises on apples using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. ASAE Paper No. 01-3127. Lu, R. and D. Ariana. 2001. A near-infrared sensing technique for measuring firmness and sugar content of apples. ASAE Paper No. 01-6033. Lu, R., D. E. Guyer, and R. M. Beaudry. 2000. Determination of firmness and sugar content of apples using near-infrared diffuse reflectance. Journal of Texture Studies: 31: 615-630. Lu. R. 2001. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for nondestructive measurement of firmness and sugar content of sweet cherries. 2001 IFT Annual Meeting Book of Abstracts, p.123. Potts, S.J., D.C. Slaughter, and J.F. Thompson. In press. Measuring mold infestation in raw tomato juice. J. Food Science. Potts, S.J., J.F. Thompson, and D.C. Slaughter 2001. The effect of fungal species on the fluorescent lectin test. J. Microbiological Methods 46:187-191. Rohrbach, R.P., Chris Barnhart and C.M. Mainland. 2001. Rapid chemical analysis of blueberries using transmitted light. Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Production Engineering, September 11-14, 2001, Potsdam, Federal Republic of Germany. Tang, J. Feng, H. and Lau. Ming. 2001. Microwave heating in food processing, In Advances in Agricultural Engineering, (eds.) Young, X., Tang, J., World Scientific Publisher, New York, in press. Tetteh, M.K., S.E. Prussia, B.P. Verma, and D.S. NeSmith. 2001. Blueberry firmness measurements by FirmTech II and Hertz contact theory. ASAE technical paper #01-6089. Throop, J. A., D. J. Aneshansley, B. Anger. 2000. Multispectral imaging station detects defects on apples. Photonics East 2000, Conference 4203-Biological Quality and Precision Agriculture II, Nov. 7-8,2000, Boston, MA, SPIE, Bellingham, WA. Throop, J. A., D. J. Aneshansley, B. L. Upchurch, and B. Anger. 2001. Apple orientation on two conveyors: performance and predictability based on shape characteristics of apples. Transactions ASAE Vol. 44(1):99-109. Tollner, E.W. and A.S. Muhammad. 2001. X-ray imaging for classifying food products based on internal defects. Chapter 4 (pp. 137-164), In Nondestructive Food Evaluation, S. Gunasekaran (ed.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. Wang, S. and Tang, J. 2001. Radio frequency and microwave alternative treatments for insect control in nuts: a review. International Agricultural Engineering Journal, in press. Wang, S., Ikediala, J., Tang, J., J Hansen, J.D. 2001. Thermal death kinetics and heating rate effects for 5th instar codling moth larvae (Cydia pomonella (L.)). J. Stored Products Research, in press. Wang, S., Ikediala, J.N., Tang, J., Hansen, J.D., Mictham, E., Mao, R., Swanson, B. 2001. Radio frequency treatments to control codling moth in in-shell walnuts. Post-harvest Biology and Technology 22 (1):29-38. Wang, S., Tang, J., Cavalieri, R. 2001. Modeling fruit internal heating rates for hot air and hot water treatments. Post-harvest Biology and Technology 22(3):257-270. Wang, S., Tang, J., Judy A. Johnson, Hansen, J.D. 2001. Thermal death kinetics of 5th instar navel orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. J. Stored Products Research, in press. Ziegler, C.R., D.W. Donahue, F.A. Drummond, and S.N. Smith. 2000. Agrelation: a computerized decision-making tool for Colorado potato beetle population management and environmental quality concerns. Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 176.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 11/21/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/04/2002 - 10/05/2002
Period the Report Covers: 09/01/1987 - 10/01/2002

Participants

Baritelle, Andre (andre.Baritelle@motorola.com) Motorola Corp.;
Donahue, Darrell (ddonahu@umche.maine.edu) U Maine;
Gautz, Loren (lgautz@hawaii.edu) U Hawaii;
Goodwin, Steve (sgoodwin@nre.umass.edu) U Mass;
Guyer, Daniel (guyer@msu.edu) Mich. St. U
Heinemann, Paul (hzh@psu.edu) Penn St. U;
Hung, Yong (ldrslt YDHI@comrnell.edu) Cornell U, Geneva;
Hyde, Gary (gmhyde@wsu.edu) Wash. St. U;
Lu, Renfu (lur@msu.edu) USDA-ARS, Mich. St.;
Peshlov, Boyan (Boyan.Peshlov@umit.maine.edu) U Maine;
Prussia, Stan (sprussia@engr.uga.edu) U Georgia;
Rohrbach, Roger (Rohrbach@eos.ncsu.edu) NC St. U;
Stroshine, Richard (strosh@ecn.purdue.edu) Purdue U;
Tao, Yang (ytao@wam.umd.edu) U Maryland;
Throop, James (jat12@cornell.edu) Cornell U Ithaca

Brief Summary of Minutes

NE1008 Minutes, Oct. 5, 2002, Orono, Maine

Submitted by secretary, ytao@wam.umd.edu

Gary Hyde, Chair, 10/5/02 at 8:10am, University of Maine.

Attendees: Affiliation Email address
1 Loren Gautz University of Hawaii, Manoa lguatz@hawaii.edu
2 Daniel Guyer Michigan State University guyer@egr.msu.edu
3 Paul Heinemann Penn State hzh@psu.edu
4 Yong D. Hang Cornell University, Geneva ydh1@cornell.edu
5 Richard Stroshine Purdue University chstrosh@ecn.purdue.edu
6 James Throop Cornell University jat12@cornell.edu
7 Renfu Lu USDA-ARS lur@msu.edu
8 Stan Prussia
lochUniversity of Georgia sprussia@griffin.peachnet.edu
9 Andre Baritelle Motorola andre.baritelle@motorola.com
10 Darrell Donahue University of Maine Darrell_Donahue@umit.maine.edu
11 Roger Rohrbach NC State University rohrbach@eos.ncsu.edu
12 Steve Goodwin University of Massachusetts sgoodwin@fnr.umass.edu
13 Gary Hyde Washington State University gmhyde@wsu.edu
14 Yang Tao University of Maryland ytao@wam.umd.edu
15 Boyan Peshlov University of Maine Boyan.Peshlov@umit.maine.edu
Members not present:
tlpar Vangle Alocilja Michigan State University
Daniel J. Aneshansley Cornell Ithaca
Antje J. Baeumner Cornell Ithaca
M. D. Boyette NC State University
M. J. Delwiche University of California Davis
J. K. Fellman Washington State University
Yen-Con Hung University of Georgia
Joseph Irudayaraj Penn State University
ustright M. Andy Rao Cornell University-Geneva
Joseph Scheerens Ohio State University
D. C. Slaughter U. Cal. Davis
Ajit Srivastava Michigan State U.
L. Stikeleather NC St. U
Juming Tang Washington State U
idctlpar Ernest Tollner U of Georgia

Gary called meeting to order.

Introductions

1. Welcome to the new administrative advisor of NE-1008 Dr. Steve Goodwin, University of f0Massachusetts.

2. Awards to NE-179 and its members. Steve Goodwin reported the Directors meeting in West Virginia and NE-179 received the annual award for the job well done. Steve presented certificates to committee members and will get corrections for and send out a few others.

3. Gary requested Station Reports from each station. Send email attachment to him.

4. Welcome to The University of Maine by G. Bruce Wiersma, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture and Director of the Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. The Dean drove 18 miles from home on a Saturday morning to the meeting and showed much interest and support. He gave an introduction of the University, College of Ag and Natural Resources, Experiment Station, and Maine Agriculture.

Station Reports*
Speaker Affiliation
hichTitle

cellx92321 James Throop Cornell Detection of internal and external defects for apples
2 Yong D. Hung
af98Cornell Relationship between the activity of  galactionace and grape firmness
3 Stan Prussia Georgia Simulation models for predicting
lochpost harvest changes / Electrolyzed water for treating lettuce (Yen-con Hung) / Classification of onions based on internal defects using commential x-ray inspection equipment (Bill Tollner)
4 Loren Gautz Hawaii Coffee Origins & Kanalactone using NIRS.
5 Darrell Donahue Maine Infestation detection in blue berries via NIR
6 Yang Tao Maryland Safety inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables using optical sensing and imaging techniques.
7 Daniel Guyer Michigan UV visible and NIR reflectance and florescence for disorder and insect identification on fruits and vegetables.
f988 Roger Rohrbach N.Carolina Effects of sunlight or shade on maturity and optical density in blueberries.
9 Paul Heinemann Penn Detection of pathogens on fruit using electronic nose and IR spectroscopy technology.
10 Richard Stroshine Indiana Magnetic resonance detection of water core and internal browning of apples.
11 Renfu Lu USDA-MI Nondestructive sensing technologies for assessing internal quality of apples.
12 Gary Hyde Wash. St. Impact damage and insect control research at Washington State University. / Insect killing using Microwave energy (Juming Tang).
num13 Andre Baritelle Motorola Update on Motorolas Precision Farming Program.
lrtb
*Written report also received from U.C. Davis

New NE-1008 Project:
Thanks to Paul Heinemann for putting the new project proposal together
Paul talked about the proposal. Thanks to each station for the contributions.

Awards for Mark Mount --- for his outstanding contribution to NE-179. A certificate was drafted and all members signed. Steve will print the certificate and present it to Mark.

Discussion Session:
Focused on NE1008 Project Implementation, including:
1. Proposal writing
2. NE1008 member collaboration to sharing information, equipment, and expertise
3. Seeking and using input from stakeholdersthose who will benefit greatly from the projects expected outputs
4. Effective technology transfer to those stakeholders.
Fresh-cut Produce Associate will hold a trade show in Florida. NE-1008 will setup a booth to show our research. Send Stan Prussia your materials such as slides, posters, etc. for his development of a poster at the show, which is at the End of Oct, 2003, Roger Rohrbach will send information to us.
Stan proposed a survey of sensors about the needs, uses of sensors, and transformation of information to knowledge
Steve Goodwin suggested new ideas about industrial liaison to create more impact to the industry and stakeholders.
Further discussion on how to generate more impact to stakeholders by members:
o Invite growers, fresh packers, politicians, etc and ask information
o Through road shows and industrial liaisons.
o Work with Horticultural Association for inputs
o Contact produce marketing association, transport industry, National Food Processor Association NFPA, Apple Association, etc..
How to get these industrial people and what are we looking for? James Throop talked about Cornells experience with growers and politicians.
Web page: NE-1008 http://www.lgu.umd.edu/printVers.cfm?trackID=1154

Elections and new leadership
Darrell Donahue was elected as the Secretary of 2003-2004
Renfu Lu was elected as the Member at Large
Andre Baritelle was elected as the new Industrial Liaison representative.
Yang Tao, University of Maryland, moves up from current secretary to become Chair for the next meeting.

Locations of the next meetings (2002-2003 & 2003-2004):

NC State University. Early January, 2004. Preliminary date: Jan. 9-10 -- Friday tour, and Saturday business meeting. Roger Rohrbach will be the host and finalize the date.

Michigan State University. August, 2005. Dan Guyer and Renfu Lu will be the host of the meeting.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

UC Davis developed a system to detect Salmonella in production of alfalfa sprouts. Cornell University developed an all-cultivar, 5-apple-per-second orienter for use in automatic defect detection systems. Cornell University-Geneva research with six grape cultivars (Einset Seedless, Suffolk Red, Canadice, Remaily Seedless, Niagara and Concord) and four apple cultivars (Jonamac, McIntosh, Empire and Crispin) indicates an inverse relationship between the beta-galactosidase activity and the firmness of fruits (apples and grapes). Also, calcium chloride increased the storage modulus of potatoes at 60-80 degree C, with the most effective conditions being 70 degree C and 0.1 M calcium chloride. Pectin methyl esterase activity was higher at lower heating temperatures (40-50 degree C), but decreased linearly with heating temperature. University of Georgia computer model simulations show dramatic quality loss due to delays in cooling of fresh peaches and blueberries. A simulation game developed there teaches produce manages the best balance between peach inventory and profitability. In other experiments, electrolyzed water proved to be as effective as acidified chlorinated water in removing E. coli and Listeria from lettuce leaves. Commercial X-ray equipment proved capable of detecting onion defects before they were visible on the onion surface. The synergy of the NE179/1008 group fostered multi-state cooperation enabling University of Hawaii research to adapt X-ray, NMR, MRI, NIRS and PLS techniques developed elsewhere to the unique problems of tropical agriculture. In addition, University of Hawaii research developed mechanical removal of mucilage from coffee beans that has no effect on coffee flavor and uses much less water than conventional processing. A patent was obtained for converting the mucilage into a food flavoring. A UH-developed near-infrared system was able to determine whether coffee beans were from Kona with zero error for the 180 samples tested. UH near-infrared reflectance scanning of dried Kava root proved to give predictions of total and 6-specy kavalactone concentrations comparable to those found by the standard HPLC methods, and in much less time. University of Maine research found that spectral analysis using visible and near infrared wavelengths can detect maggots in blueberries. University of Maryland continues research on imaging for apple defect recognition and on fruit and vegetable safety inspection using optical sensing and imaging. Michigan State University researchers developed a lighting, filtering, and camera set-up system to use visible and NIR reflectance, halogen and long-wave UV induced fluorescence, and visible and NIR transmittance of light to detect fruit defects, including insects. Potential exists in coupling these techniques to enhance identification and classification of disorders. North Carolina State University research showed higher optical density for blueberries to be strongly correlated with higher sugar/acid ratios, such that optical density could serve as a proxy for sugar/acid measurement. Purdue University research showed that magnetic resonance (MR) decay curves differ between sound apples and those with internal browning or watercore. Development continues on the specialized conveyor needed to move whole fruits and vegetables through the MR sensor. Pennsylvania State University research found that the portable Cyranose 320 could easily detect E. coli K12 at concentrations of 5.3 CFU/ml and higher. Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy proved capable of not only discriminating between 6 different strains of E coli, including the pathogenic E. coli O157:H7, but could differentiate the pathogen from non-pathogens. Further, a prototype Spreeta SPR biosensor proved capable of detecting S. Enteritidis in alfalfa sprouts. USDA/ARS research at Michigan State used multispectral and spectroscopy imaging to assess firmness and sugar content in apples, based on absorption and scattering of light inside the fruit. The multispectral technique predicted Magness-Taylor firmness with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. Results confirm that light scattering is related to the texture of apple tissue. Washington State University research developed the fundamental basis and pilot-scale techniques for microwave and radio frequency eradicating insects from fruits and nuts without damaging those commodities. Fruit and vegetable impact damage research made the connections between commodity tissue properties, temperature and hydration conditioning to improve those properties, and resulting bruise thresholds for these commodities. Conditioning can improve bruise thresholds and hence reduce mechanical damage in fruits and vegetables. Thermal imaging research showed that recent bruises in apples warm more slowly than the surrounding tissue, and that the reason is that the bruises have higher density and higher thermal conductivity, resulting in higher thermal diffusivity. Thus, the bruises conduct heat into the interior of a cold faster and so appear colder in thermal images of the apple surface.

Publications

Cornell U.-Geneva Bu-Contreas, R. and Rao, M. A. 2001. Influence of heating conditions and starch on the storage modulus of Russet Burbank and Yukon Gold potatoes. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 81:1504-1511. Bu-Contreas, R. and Rao, M. A. 2002. Review:dynamic theological behavior of heated potatoes. Food Science and Technology International 8:3-10. Hang, Y. D. and Woodams, E. E. 2002. Soluble and cell-wall associated forms of beta-galactosidase in apple fruits. Paper 30G-1. 2002 IFT Annual Meeting Book of Abstracts, Institute of Food Technologists, Chicago. U GA Buck, JW, Van Iersel, M, Oetting, R, Hung, YC. 2002 In vitro fungicidal activity of acidit electrolyzed oxidized water. Plant Dis. 86(3):278-281. NeSmith, DS, Prussia, SE, Tetteh, M, Krewer, G. 2002. Firmness losses of rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) during hrvesting and handling. Acta Horticulturae. 547:287-293. Park, C-M, Humg, YC, Ddoyle, MP, Ezeike, GOI, Kim, C. 2001. Patogen reduction and quality of lettuce treaed with electrolyzed oxidizing and acidified chlorinated water. J. Food Sci. 66(9):1368-1372. Prussia, SE, Hung, YC. 2001. Improved laser-puff food firmness detector. Acta Horticulturae, 655:231-235. Scharz, D, Klaring, HP, Ingram, KT, Hung, YC. 2001. Model-based control of nutrient solution concentration influences tomato growth and fruit quality. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126(6): 778-784. Tetteh, K, Prussia, SE, NeSmith, DS, Verma, BP. 2002. Modeling blueberry firmness and mass loss during cooling delays and storage. ASAE Paper No. 02-6009. (On CD from ASAE). Tollner, EW. 2002. Classification of onions based on internal defects using commercial X-ray inspection equipment. ASAE Paper No. 02-012297. U HA U ME Donahue, D. W., F. A. Drummond, P.P. Bosse, and J. Collins.2002. Infestation Detection in Wild Blueberries using Near-infrared Spectroscopy. Proceedings & presentation at the 9th North American Blueberry Research & Extension Workers Conference, 18-21 August, Halifax, NS, Canada. Donahue D. W. 2002. Research results (2001-2002) and update 5-year research plan. Final Report to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, University of Maine, Orono, Maine. February and October. U MD Cheng, M., Y. Tao, Y.R. Chen, and Y. Luo. 2002. A NIR/MIR Dual-Sensor Machine Vision System for On-Line Apple Stem-end/Calyx Recognition. Trans. of ASAE. Accepted for publication. Tao, Y., M. Cheng, Y.R. Chen, and Y. Luo. 2002. NIR/MIR Dual-Sensor Vision System for Apple Defect and Stem-end/Calyx On-Line Recognition. Postharvest Unlimited. Belgium, June14, 2002. Ying, Y., H. Jing, Y. Tao, and N. Zhang. 2002. Detecting Stem and Shape of Pears Using Fourier Transformation and an Artificial Neural Network. Trans. of AsAE. Accepted for publication. MI St. NC St. Purdue Penn St. Paradkar, M., J. Irudayaraj, and S. Sivakesava. 2001. Discrimination and classification of beet and cane inverts in different floral honey by FT-Raman spectroscopy. Food Chemistry. 76:231-239 Yang, H. and J. Irudayaraj. 2001. Characterization of edible coatings and microorganisms on produce surface using depth profile analysis. Applied Spectroscopy 55(5):310-329. Sivakesava, S. and J. Irudayaraj. 2001. Detection of inverted beet sugar adulteration of honey by FTIR spectroscopy. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 81:683-690. Powell, T.B., P.H. Heinemann, and A. Demirci. 2002. Electronic Nose Detection of E. Coli on the Surface of Apples. ASAE Paper No. 02-6096. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. St. Joseph, MI. 8 pp. USDA Lu, R. 2002. Detection of bruises on apples using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. Trans. of the ASAE. (accepted) Lu, R. 2002. Multispectral imaging for predicting firmness and sugar content of apples. Postharvest Biology and Technology (submitted). Lu, R. and D. Ariana. 2002. A near-infrared sensing technique for measuring firmness and sugar content of apples. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. (in print) Lu, R., A. J. Srivastava, and R. M. Beaudry. A new bioyield tester for measuring apple fruit firmness. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. (submitted). Lu, R. 2002. Near-infrared imaging spectroscopy for detecting new and old bruises on apples. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Agricultural Engineering Conference in Wuxi, China, November 27-30, 2002. WA St. Wang, S., Tang, J., Johnson, J., Mitcham, B., and Hansen, J. 2002. Process protocols based on radio frequency energy to control field and storage pests in in-shell walnuts. Postharvest Biology and Technology 26(3):265-273. Wang, S., Tang, J., Johnson, J.A., and Hansen, J.D. 2002. Thermal death kinetics of 5th instar navel Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). J. Stored Products Research 38: 427-440. Wang, S., Ikediala, J., Tang, J., and Hansen, J.D. 2002. Thermal death kinetics and heating rate effects for 5th instar Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J. Stored Products Research 38:441-453. Ikediala, J.N., Hansen, J., Tang, J., Drake, S.R., Wang, S. 2002. Quarantine treatment of cherries using radio frequency energy and saline-water-immersion technique. Postharvest Biology and Technology 24(1):25-37. Johnson, J.A., Wang, S., and Tang, J. 2002. Thermal death kinetics of 5th instar Indian meal larvae. J. Entomology. (in press, Sept., 2002). Baritelle, A. L. and G. M. Hyde. 2002. Effect of Specific Gravity and Cultivar on the Impact Sensitivity of Potatoes. Postharvest Biology and Technology (in press). Olsen, N., R.E. Thornton, A. Baritelle, and G. Hyde. 2002. The influence of storage conditions on physical and physiological characteristics of cv Shepody potatoes. Potato Research (in press). Varith, J. Hyde, G.M., Baritelle, A.L., Fellman, J.K., Sattabongkot, T., 2002. Non-contact bruise detection in apples by thermal imaging. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies (in press).

Impact Statements

<li>UCD: Eliminating Salmonella from alfalfa and other sprout production systems greatly improves safety of such foods.<li>Cornell U.-Ithaca: Automatic apple orientation is a key step in automated defect sorting.<li>Cornell U.-Geneva: The enzyme, beta-galactosidase, could serve as a potential marker in fruit breeding to produce new cultivars for fresh market and processing. Potato firmness is important in handling and is strongly affected by starch and added calcium. However, the changes in firm
ness do not follow simple pseudo first-order kinetics.<li>U GA: Computer models demonstrate value of proper produce handling and show best means of maintaining flow of produce and profitability.<li>U GA: Substitution of electrolyzed water for chlorine can provide better work environment and less corrosion of handling systems.<li>Impact 6 U GA: X-ray defect detection provides a means of automatic elimination of defective produce<li> Impact 7 U HA: Removing coffee bean mucilage mechanically uses 2
.5% of the water required for the traditional method, and the by-product food flavoring will add several million dollars to Hawaiis agricultural revenue<li> Impact 8 U HA: Objective identification of real Kona coffee beans increases buyer confidence and helps stabilize markets for Hawaiis coffees<li> Impact 9U HA: Near infrared scanning quickly and objectively determines kavalactone content, and thus kava root quality, allowing for a more orderly market for the product<li> Impact 10 U ME: Elim
ination of maggot-infested blueberries is a high priority with Maine blueberry producers and will help assure a high quality product.<li> Impact 11 U MD: True defect detection in apples is a component in automatic on-line defective fruit elimination<li> Impact 12 MI St. U: Combined use of infrared through ultra-violet reflectance, fluorescence, and transmittance will enhance automatic nondestructive sorting of fruit for quality.<li> Impact 13 NC St.: Blueberries are already automatically color s
orted. This new research shows that similar technology can sort by sugar/acid, hence flavor, as well.<li> Impact 14 Purdue U: The magnetic resonance results show the feasibility of automated nondestructive detection of internal defects in apples and possibly other fruits and vegetables.<li> Impact 15 Penn St. U: The new sensors and techniques can non-destructively detect bacterial contamination in food and facilitate efficient elimination of contaminated products.<li> Impact 16 USDA: Multispectr
al imaging can meet apple-packing line grading requirements and has the potential for on-line sorting by firmness and sugar content.<li> Impact 17 WA St. U: The new microwave and radio frequency insect eradication techniques provide a safe, viable alternative to methyl bromide for guaranteeing insect-free shipments of fruits and nuts.<li> Impact 18 WA St. U: The impact property research provides a fundamental basis for fruit and vegetable cultivar selection, temperature and hydration conditionin
g, and design and operation of commodity handling equipment for minimizing mechanical impact damage.<li> Impact 19 WA St. U: Thermal imaging is a viable technique for detecting and eliminating damaged fruits and vegetables.