Location: Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-42000-020-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2016
End Date: Dec 31, 2019
Objective:
The objective is to develop automated whole-surface image segmentation methods for fruit inspection. In addition, the multitask line-scan imaging technologies coupled with the proposed development of whole-surface imaging methods will be integrated to develop automated online whole-surface safety and quality inspection prototypes for relatively round-shaped fruits.
Approach:
For online safety and quality screening, the whole surfaces of produce items must be evaluated. Automated online produce inspection prototypes will be jointly developed to allow for inspection of whole surfaces of round fruits. The instrumentation and sensing platform will incorporate multitask line-scan imaging methods for simultaneous reflectance and fluorescence imaging, with the proposed development of automated whole-surface image segmentation methods. This will allow screening of nearly 100% of the surfaces of produce for fecal contaminants and defects during online processing.
