Sensors for product characterization and quality of specialty crops - A review

Authors: RUIZ-ALTISENT, M - Polytechnic University - Spain; RUIZ-GARCIA, L - Polytechnic University - Spain; MOREDA, G - Polytechnic University - Spain; Lu, Renfu; HERNANDEZ-SANCHEZ, N - Polytechnic University - Spain; CORREA, E C - Polytechnic University - Spain; DIEZMA, B - Polytechnic University - Spain; NICOLAI, B - Catholic University Of Leuven; GARCIA-RAMOS, J - University Of Zaragoza

Submitted to: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2010
Publication Date: 9/17/2010
Citation: Ruiz-Altisent, M., Ruiz-Garcia, L., Moreda, G., Lu, R., Hernandez-Sanchez, N., Correa, E., Diezma, B., Nicolai, B., Garcia-Ramos, J. 2010. Sensors for product characterization and quality of specialty crops - A review. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 74(2):176-194.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sensors and sensing technologies play a critical role in assuring food quality and safety for specialty crops. Significant progress has been made in this field over the past decade because of the advances in detector and computer technologies. This article provides a critical review of important developments in sensors and sensing technologies for characterization of specialty crops, and assessment and grading for product quality and safety. It covers a number of nondestructive technologies including computer vision, near-infrared and infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, mechanical contact, chemical sensors and biosensors, and wireless sensor technologies. The article discusses the merits and limitations of each technology, and it also describes the current status and future directions in sensor research for quality characterization, measurement, and grading of specialty crops.