Sorting of apricots with computer screen photoassisted spectral reflectance analysis and electronic nose

Optical properties and aroma have been indicated as sources of information for the analysis of quality of fruits. Optical properties can be measured with several experimental arrangements and equipments that are often complex with result difficult to interpret. In recent years, a number of suggestions arose in the sensor community proposing the use of conventional computer peripheral devices as analytical instruments. Among them the combination of a computer screen and a webcam was demonstrated to be suitable to measure optical properties of materials. In this paper this arrangement is utilized to characterize the reflectance of apricot fruits that underwent different post-harvest treatment and mechanical damages. Optical measurements were complemented by aroma analysis with an electronic nose. The response of fruits to treatments was also monitored measuring CO2 (indicator of respiration) and ethylene (indicator of ripening); both these parameters are known to be influenced by post-harvest treatment and mechanical damages. Results show that a computer screen–webcam combination and an electronic nose are both sensitive to mechanical damages of fruits devising their use, after due optimization, for routine fruit sorting.