VIS-NIR portable espectrometer for non-destructive assessment of maturity and quality of ‘Gala’ apples

Abstract Visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy is a non-destructive, fast, practical reliable technique to determine maturity quality attributes in apple fruit. However, the effects of cultivar growing conditions on predictive performance equipment must be determined before its commercial application industry. This study was carried out evaluate efficiency VIS-NIR portable spectrometer for fast non-destructive determination apples ‘Gala’ group (‘Maxi Gala’, ‘Royal ‘Imperial Gala’ ‘Galaxy’) harvested three orchards (corresponding production sites: Vacaria, Fraiburgo São Joaquim) Southern Brazil. At harvest after months cold storage (1.5 ± 0.3 ºC relative humidity 92 2%), fruit were assessed terms spectral data wavelength range between 310 1100 nm with spectrometer. After collecting data, submitted physicochemical analysis dry matter (DM), soluble solids content (SSC), flesh firmness texture. The calibration models developed using sets data: (1) without separating by orchard; (2): cultivar, regardless (3): orchard. obtained partial least squares (PLS) regression technique. accuracy each dataset evaluated validation step considering values root mean square error cross-validation (RMSECVr = 10%). Models orchard (location) more accurate efficient assess DM, SSC firmness, compared orchard, or Therefore, promising tool rapid apples. calibrated condition (orchard) order obtain precise analyses