Potential of Image Analysis Based Systems in Food Quality Assessments and Classifications

Increasing life standards, developing technology, growing importance of food quality and safety lead food industry to search new analysis methods. In addition, high consumer expectation and increasing population forces manufacturers to find fast and accurate techniques. The present study was aimed to prepare a summary about computer aided image processing systems covering working principles and applications for different analysis of food products. Image processing systems have recently been considered in this extent and results have revealed that computer aided these techniques can provide all these needs in a non-destructive way for samples. These techniques can be adapted to a wide range of food and agriculture products like meat, bakery products, dairy products, vegetables but primarily fruits. Image processing can be utilized for different purposes related to these product groups. Size and shape based classification, defects detection, microbial safety, quality grading and variety determination are mainly investigated topics. Literature survey indicates favourable reported results. Generally small scale investigations have been presented, but some of them could find a place for industrial application with high success. Computer aided image processing has been taken increasing interests of researcher for its potential in the applications for food technologies. In the present study it was aimed to prepare a summary about computer aided image processing systems covering working principles and applications for different analysis of food products. As a conclusion it could be said that computer aided image processing systems reveal high potential in food industry.