Using near infrared spectroscopy to predict postharvest quality

Abstract

Near-infrared spectroscopy offers great potential for controlling postharvest quality attributes of fruits and vegetables. It constitutes a very useful tool to ensure their acceptability and characterizing their nutritional properties. The literature regarding its use for postharvest quality parameters prediction on fresh fruit and vegetables, has been reviewed. The aspects of quality that can be measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), its evolution, research on different products and most important areas for action, are highlighted. Desirable criteria for evaluating the reliability of the models and spectrometer features such as portability are discussed. Likely events in the evolution of online and portable NIRS in the near future are suggested.