Latest nir-spectroscopy

How Do Postharvest Microbial Treatments Extend Fresh Produce Shelf Life?

May 19, 2026 at 9:13 pm | Updated May 19, 2026 at 9:13 pm | 12 min read

Fruits and vegetables harbor a microbiome on their surfaces that interacts with them to influence fruit quality. Fruit/plant-microbial interactions can be used in postharvest management to control spoilage microbes, thereby improving fresh produce quality and shelf-life. These microbial-plant/fruit interactions include competition, mycoparasitism, volatile secretions, microbial biofilms, quorum sensing, and systemic resistance induction. Postharvest spoilage, quality… Continue reading…

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Additional reading

5 Benefits of Pairing NIR Data with Firmness Tests

When produce teams talk about better maturity decisions, they usually end up discussing more than one metric. That is why NIR data matters most when it is paired with firmness tests. NIR data gives you fast, non-destructive insight into internal quality traits such as dry matter, Brix, titratable acidity, and internal color, while firmness testing… Continue reading…

Major Causes of Postharvest Decline in Fresh Produce

The main causes for postharvest decline in fresh produce are mechanical damage, respiration, transpiration, ethylene, and senescence. The importance of each cause varies across classes of fresh produce, including root vegetables, leafy vegetables, flower vegetables, immature fruit vegetables, and mature fruits. Adequate technology adoption can significantly reduce postharvest decline. Around 40-50% of fruits and vegetables… Continue reading…

Myth NIR Devices Work the Same on All Cultivars
Myth NIR Devices Work the Same on All Cultivars

Myth: NIR Devices Work the Same on All Cultivars

Near-infrared fruit analysis is widely used across the produce industry, but a persistent myth still circulates: that one NIR model works the same on every cultivar. The truth is that cultivar differences directly impact NIR calibration accuracy, and ignoring that reality leads to inconsistent data and poor decisions. If you rely on NIR devices for… Continue reading…

Felix Instrument Mango Quality Meter
Felix Instrument Mango Quality Meter

Truth About F-Series Devices and Reference Methods: What Correlation Really Means

When people talk about correlation in the context of a produce quality meter, the conversation often gets simplified. A device is tested against a lab reference method. A number comes back. If it is high, the instrument is considered accurate. If it is lower, doubts start to creep in. But correlation is more nuanced than… Continue reading…

Truth About NIR Light Penetration Why Fruit Size Affects Accuracy
Truth About NIR Light Penetration Why Fruit Size Affects Accuracy

Truth About NIR Light Penetration: Why Fruit Size Affects Accuracy

When people talk about NIR light penetration in produce testing, the conversation usually centers on calibration models and device performance. But fruit size often gets overlooked. In reality, NIR light penetration is directly influenced by fruit diameter, density, and internal structure. If you are using handheld NIR devices in the field or at intake, understanding… Continue reading…

Truth About Fruit Firmness Predictions Using NIR
Truth About Fruit Firmness Predictions Using NIR

Truth About Fruit Firmness Predictions Using NIR

Fruit firmness predictions using NIR have become a widely discussed topic in postharvest research and commercial fruit handling. Growers, packers, and quality managers want reliable ways to estimate internal firmness without cutting fruit open. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) offers a practical approach to do exactly that. Instead of destructive testing, NIR allows operators to scan… Continue reading…