Quality Parameters of Six Cultivars of Blueberry Using Computer Vision

Abstract

Background. Blueberries are considered an important source of health benefits. This work studied six blueberry cultivars: “Duke,” “Brigitta”, “Elliott”, “Centurion”, “Star,” and “Jewel”, measuring quality parameters such as °Brix, pH, moisture content using standard techniques and shape, color, and fungal presence obtained by computer vision. The storage conditions were time (0–21 days), temperature (4 and 15°C), and relative humidity (75 and 90%). Results. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected between fresh cultivars in pH, °Brix, shape, and color. However, the main parameters which changed depending on storage conditions, increasing at higher temperature, were color (from blue to red) and fungal presence (from 0 to 15%), both detected using computer vision, which is important to determine a shelf life of 14 days for all cultivars. Similar behavior during storage was obtained for all cultivars. Conclusion. Computer vision proved to be a reliable and simple method to objectively determine blueberry decay during storage that can be used as an alternative approach to currently used subjective measurements.

Impact of ozonation process on the microbiological and antioxidant status of raspberry (Rubus ideaeus L.) fruit during storage at room temperature

“…The degree of fruit infestation by gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) can be assessed visually. Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) occurs as a characteristic, gray rash on fruit (Matiacevich et al 2013) and its development is accompanied by softening of fruit and the leakage of juice. The degree of fruit infestation by gray mold was verified at 72 hour of the experiment.…”

Freeze-Drying of Blueberries: Effects of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser Perforation as Skin Pretreatment to Improve Mass Transfer, Primary Drying Time, and Quality

“…The blueberry fruits used as raw material to carry out a set of experimental treatments were characterized to ensure a homogeneous quality of said material. Total Soluble Solids (TSS), or • Brix, was selected for this purpose as it is one of the main quality indicators of the blueberry fruit [29]. To determine • Brix, blueberry fruits were weighed using a RADWAG balance (AS 220/C/2, Radom, Poland) and then crushed and homogenized for 5 min with 10 mL of distilled water until a homogeneous juice was obtained.…”

Development of fruit quality traits and comparison of the fruit structure of two Vaccinium corymbosum (L.) cultivars

“…The ligneous endocarp encloses five carpels with 10 locules (Gough, 1994). Many authors claim that the high quality of blueberry fruits is dependent on cultivar characteristics as well as the postharvest handling of the fruit (Forney et al, 1998;Matiacevich et al, 2013;Parra et al, 2007;Sapers et al, 1984a). Blueberry breeders search for cultivars whose fruits are characterised by high firmness and a long storage life, a large size, uniform shape, light blue colour (abundant waxy bloom), a small scar where the pedicel detaches (picking scar), and easy fruit detachment for hand or machine harvest (Chiabrando et al, 2009;Hancock et al, 2008;Saftner et al, 2008;Strik, 2005).…”