Articles

Kiwifruit Postharvest Quality Problems Across the Global Supply Chain

February 16, 2026 at 5:05 pm | Updated February 16, 2026 at 5:05 pm | 12 min read

During the postharvest stages, kiwifruit quality deteriorates due to chilling injury, loss of firmness, microbial spoilage, bruising, and off-flavor development. Low temperatures used to store and transport kiwifruit cause chilling injury, which is one of the reasons for loss of firmness and the formation of off flavors. Physiological processes such as respiration rate and ripening,… Continue reading…

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Calibration Battle: How Felix, Rubens, and Sunforest Handle Multi-Crop Predictive Models

In produce quality measurement, hardware differences are narrowing. Detectors, light sources, and form factors across NIR and gas analysis tools are increasingly similar. What separates instruments in day-to-day use is calibration. More specifically, it is how companies design, maintain, and communicate multi-crop predictive models. This article compares how Felix Instruments, Rubens, and Sunforest approach calibration,… Continue reading…

Data Repeatability Under Pressure F-751 vs Sunforest vs Rubens Compared on Real Fruit Lots
Data Repeatability Under Pressure F-751 vs Sunforest vs Rubens Compared on Real Fruit Lots

Data Repeatability Under Pressure: F-751 vs Sunforest vs Rubens Compared on Real Fruit Lots

Data repeatability under pressure is one of those topics that only becomes urgent when results start drifting. In real fruit lots, pressure comes from uneven maturity, temperature swings, operator fatigue, and the simple reality that fruit is never uniform. This is where handheld NIR tools are either trusted or sidelined. In this article, we compare… Continue reading…

Spectral Science vs Shortcut Sensors Why the F-751 Series Outperforms Rubens and Sunforest in Accuracy and Longevity
Spectral Science vs Shortcut Sensors Why the F-751 Series Outperforms Rubens and Sunforest in Accuracy and Longevity

Spectral Science vs Shortcut Sensors: Why the F-751 Series Outperforms Rubens and Sunforest in Accuracy and Longevity

Produce quality measurement has become a central part of modern fruit handling, from orchard decisions to packhouse sorting and postharvest storage. As pressure increases to reduce waste while delivering consistent eating quality, handheld tools are no longer a nice-to-have. They are operational infrastructure. The challenge is choosing between instruments built on real spectral science and… Continue reading…

F-750, Rubens, or Sunforest Which NIR Tool Actually Matches Lab Results
F-750, Rubens, or Sunforest Which NIR Tool Actually Matches Lab Results

F-750, Rubens, or Sunforest: Which NIR Tool Actually Matches Lab Results?

When growers, packers, and quality control teams assess fruit maturity and internal quality, many are turning to NIR tools as alternatives to time consuming destructive testing. In this article we compare three leading near infrared systems, the F-750 from Felix Instruments, the Rubens handheld sensor, and the Sunforest H-100 series, to help you understand how… Continue reading…

Three Portable NIR Systems Compared Felix Instruments, Sunforest and Rubens Technologies Accuracy, Maintenance, and the Cost of Bad Data
Three Portable NIR Systems Compared Felix Instruments, Sunforest and Rubens Technologies Accuracy, Maintenance, and the Cost of Bad Data

Three Portable NIR Systems Compared: Felix Instruments, Sunforest and Rubens Technologies: Accuracy, Maintenance, and the Cost of Bad Data

When orchard managers and quality control teams evaluate handheld tools for fruit maturity and quality assessment, choosing the right portable NIR system is a critical decision. Portable NIR systems promise fast and non-destructive measurements, but the accuracy of those predictions, the ongoing maintenance requirements, and the real cost of bad data can vary dramatically between… Continue reading…

Buyer’s Checklist Ethylene Monitors for Ripening Rooms and CA Storage
Buyer’s Checklist Ethylene Monitors for Ripening Rooms and CA Storage

Buyer’s Checklist: Ethylene Monitors for Ripening Rooms and CA Storage

Choosing the right ethylene monitors for ripening rooms and CA storage is not just a purchasing decision. It directly affects fruit quality, shelf life, and operational consistency. Ethylene drives ripening, but unmanaged ethylene shortens storage windows and creates uneven results. A good ethylene monitor gives you visibility, confidence, and control. A poor one becomes another… Continue reading…