Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging technology in predicting the quality properties of three fruit cultivars during production and storage

Hyperspectral imaging technology has its origins in the mid-1980s: from hyperspectral cameras developed for remote sensing by aerial vehicles or satellites, the technology has moved to proximal sensing applications on a lab-scale under controlled conditions. In the agri-food sector, hyperspectral imaging technology emerged in the non-destructive measurement of food quality parameters. In recent years, due to the miniaturization of hyperspectral cameras and the increase in computational and data storage capabilities, there is growing interest towards the in-field application of proximal remote sensing hyperspectral cameras mounted on airborne or unmanned aerial vehicles or ground vehicles. As example of the application of the hyperspectral imaging in the agri-food sector, quality attributes (soluble solids content, flesh firmness) of apricots, kiwifruits and grape were monitored by means of a hyperspectral camera, in order to observe their evolution during storage and directly in field.