ARS | Publication request: OPTO-ELECTRIC DETERMINATION OF INSECT PRESENCE IN FRUIT

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 16, 2006
Publication Date: July 9, 2006
Citation: Guyer, D., Ariana, D., Shrestha, B., Lu, R. 2006. Opto-electric determination of insect presence in fruit. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 066061.

Interpretive Summary: The potential for the presence of insects in the postharvest stages of fruit handling and processing has increased with the loss of many effective in-field control methods. Thus, there exists a growing need to identify and eliminate any kind of pest or infested fruit during postharvest handling. Plum curculio has a history as a pest in cherry, resulting in economical losses in the mid-west region of the United States. The incidence of these pests has caused alarming concern among growers whose processors must abide by zero tolerance regulation for these pests. This research was to analyze spectral differences between healthy and infested whole and tissue samples of cherries as a means of detecting insects and to develop a prototype sensor probe. Infested whole cherries were detected with complete spectra information with accuracy as high as 80-85%. A prototype sensor probe utilizing two wavebands of incident light performed well but somewhat below the complete spectra accuracy. Additional analysis for optimal wavelengths demonstrated the potential to increase total classification to near 90%. The research indicated that the opto-electronic sensing methods have a potential to detect the presence of insect activities on or within whole cherries. Further research could lead to the development of a sensor probe for detecting insect-infested cherries during postharvest handling and processing to assure pest-free cherry products for the consumer.

Technical Abstract: Opto-electronic sensing methods represent a potential to identify the presence of insect activities on or within agricultural commodities. Such measurements may detect actual insect presence or indirect secondary changes in the product resulting from past or present insect activities. Studies have progressed from preliminary multispectral and fluorescence imaging, to more detailed tissue spectral measurement, analysis and classification of infested and healthy whole and tissue samples of cherries and also the development and evaluation of a prototype sensor probe. Infested whole cherries were detected with complete spectra information with accuracy as high as 80-85%. A prototype dedicated probe utilizing two LED-based wavebands of incident light performed well but somewhat below the complete spectra accuracy. Additional analysis for optimal wavelengths demonstrated the potential to increase total classification to near 90%.