Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

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.

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.