Food science articles
Respiration and Pest Management in Grain Storage
Developing countries lose disproportionate amounts of grain due to insect attacks during storage. In the search for efficient solutions suitable for varying budgets, a team of Indian scientists investigated grain storage methods for black gram crops. Since respiration is the major physiological process during storage, it was not surprising that carbon dioxide and oxygen measurements… Continue reading…
FRUITNIR-GUI: Helping Users Improve Model Performance
As the use of precision technology increases in food production, it is necessary to ensure that the devices are adapted to the entire range of environmental conditions under which a single fruit is grown. A new, free software makes it easy for people to improve the NIRS models used to analyze near-Infrared spectroscopy data that… Continue reading…
Predictive Modeling for Palmer Mango | NIRS & Mango Maturity
Mango varieties are exported around the world for their special flavors. A mango that is not ripe and sweet will not meet consumer expectations, regardless of how exotic the variety is. Harvesting fruits at the time suitable for each variety is crucial to ensure the final quality. To decide harvest time, maturity indices in portable… Continue reading…
All About ANN – Artificial Neural Networks and Chemometric Modeling for NIR Spectroscopy
Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are nonlinear models used in chemometrics that simulate the functioning of the neural network of human brains. Combined with Partial Least Square Regression models scores, these are used for machine learning and have important applications in many major industries and sectors, including food production. Chemometrics for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy The near-infrared spectrum… Continue reading…
Hass in Half the Time: Testing and Applied Research with the F-751 Avocado Quality Meter
 Andrea Rivera and her team at GAMA are cutting their testing time in half using the F-751 Avocado Quality Meter. In our most recent interview, Application Scientist Galen George sits down with Andrea to chat about her current projects avocado, and how her team has integrated this time-saving technology into their process. About Andrea… Continue reading…
Improving Treatments of Cut Leafy Vegetables | Aqueous Ozone and the F-940 Store It! Gas Analyzer
Cabbage suffers a reduction in quality due to cut processing as a result of tissue damage and microbial infections. In a search for alternatives to chemical disinfectants, a team of Chinese biotechnologists tested a protocol for aqueous ozone use, as its effectiveness is species-specific. Simple handheld devices for respiration and ethylene measurement helped in narrowing… Continue reading…
Testing Treatments to Control Degreening in Pepper Fruits
Controlling postharvest degreening in pepper fruits has several benefits for suppliers. It can enhance customer acceptance, fruit quality, and can reduce weight loss. Understanding the biochemistry of treatments during chlorophyll degradation can help food scientists make more accurate recommendations to maintain postharvest pepper fruit quality. For this, food scientists used precise carbon dioxide measurement devices… Continue reading…
Gas Analysis for Improving Flower Quality and Vase Life in Peruvian Lily
Improving the vase life and quality of flowers is vital for growers, as cut flowers have a very short postharvest life and customer treatment of the flowers once they are cut is beyond the growers’ control. However, to protect their brand name, growers can still ensure a longer flower life and better quality by using… Continue reading…
Precision Farming in 2021: What it is & why it’s changing everything in agriculture.
Producing food sustainably for an ever-increasing population is one of the greatest single challenges of our time. This challenge has been compounded in recent years by plateauing profits and production, as well as serious environmental concerns posed by traditional methodologies. Precision farming can improve both yield and profits by using fewer resources, while at the… Continue reading…
Reducing Fresh Produce Losses and Increasing Efficiency in Harvest & Post-Harvest
The United Nations urges people to cut current food loss levels in half by 2030 to improve global food security and public health. The organization suggests connecting these reductions to climate change targets and using natural resources sustainably. To achieve these aims, they advise the use of innovative new approaches and technology. State-of-the-art sensors and… Continue reading…