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Orange Processing

Brix Prediction Using Hyperspectral Imaging

RAPID, NON-DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY

Approximately 70 million tons of oranges are produced per year worldwide. About a third of the total tonnage is processed, with the rest being consumed as fresh fruit.1

Sweetness, or the concentration of soluble solids is of particular importance to orange processors. Commonly reported in degrees Brix, it is a key quality factor in assessing the grade of the product delivered into the processing facility. Results are used to calculate the value of the delivered fruit and are directly tied to costs and profitability. The measurement traditionally requires obtaining a representative sample from the delivered load and then juicing and analysis using a laboratory refractometer. However, the process of obtaining results can be slow and labor intensive.

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) offers a solution to this challenge. An HSI system such as the MV.X VNIR used here can rapidly collect highly resolved spectral data from a load of oranges passing under the sensor. Processing this data in real time and applying statistical analysis algorithms developed by Headwall, the system delivers to the user a predicted °Brix value at the end of the scan.

Value of Spectral Imaging:

  • No Sampling
  • No Sample Prep
  • Real-Time Results
  • Optimize Workflows
  • Enables Digital Solutions
  • Advanced Analytics

 

Headwall’s award-winning Hyperspec® MV.X system is designed to streamline the extraction of actionable information from hyperspectral data. Highly intuitive software enables the user to easily create and improve the prediction models and deliver real-time results.

For the purpose of this study, a Headwall VNIR (400-1000nm) HSI system was used to scan Hamlin oranges from Florida. To obtain the reference values, each of the oranges were juiced, and °Brix was measured using a Cole-Parmer® EW-81150-48 digital refractometer. The refractometer data was employed to train a regression model for prediction of °Brix based on hyperspectral data.

A classification model was created by training the data processing software to recognize the differences between an orange and any foreign areas. Each orange was designated as an object and the oranges were associated with the respective reference °Brix values. A regression analysis model was created and optimized using spectra from the test sample.

Based on this model, Headwall’s software generated a prediction map where every pixel is assigned a °Brix value. The average of all the pixels in each object resulted in the calculated °Brix for each orange. A plot of the measured versus calculated °Brix demonstrates a good level of agreement between the methods with an R2=0.98.

This example, while based on a small data set and produced in a controlled environment, demonstrates a proof of principle and provides a glimpse into the great potential value of HSI in orange-processing operations.

Want to know more?

Our Headwall Applications Team will work with you to explore how HSI can deliver value to your fruit processing plant or citrus grove! Spectral Imaging, Food Quality Field boxes or entire truck loads can be scanned in minutes and the results sent to production control stations. Real-time results help speed up receiving operations, optimize decision making and deliver significant ROI.

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Brix Prediction Using Hyperspectral Imaging

RAPID, NON-DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS & IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY

 

Approximately 70 million tons of oranges are produced per year worldwide. About a third of the total tonnage is processed, with the rest being consumed as fresh fruit.1
Sweetness, or the concentration of soluble solids is of particular importance to orange processors. Commonly reported in degrees Brix, it is a key quality factor in assessing the grade of the product delivered into the processing facility. Results are used to calculate the value of the delivered fruit and are directly tied to costs and profitability. The measurement traditionally requires obtaining a representative sample from the delivered load and then juicing and analysis using a laboratory refractometer. However, the process of obtaining results can be slow and labor intensive.
Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) offers a solution to this challenge. An HSI system can rapidly collect highly resolved spectral data from a load of oranges passing under the sensor. Processing this data in real time and applying statistical analysis algorithms developed by Headwall, the system delivers to the user a predicted °Brix value at the end of the scan. 

Value of Spectral Imaging:

– No Sampling
– No Sample Prep
– Real-Time Results
– Optimize Workflows
– Enables Digital Solutions
– Advanced Analytics


Headwall’s award-winning Hyperspec® MV.X system is designed to streamline the extraction of actionable information from hyperspectral data. Highly intuitive software enables the user to easily create and improve the prediction models and deliver real-time results.”

For the purpose of this study, a Headwall VNIR (400-1000nm) HSI system was used to scan Hamlin oranges from Florida. To obtain the reference values, each of the oranges were juiced, and °Brix was measured using a Cole-Parmer® EW-81150-48 digital refractometer. The refractometer data was employed to train a regression model for prediction of °Brix based on hyperspectral data.
A classification model was created by training the data processing software to recognize the differences between an orange and any foreign areas. Each orange was designated as an object and the oranges were associated with the respective reference °Brix values. A regression analysis model was created and optimized using spectra from the test sample.
Based on this model Headwall’s software generated a prediction map where every pixel is assigned a °Brix value. The average of all the pixels in each object resulted in the calculated °Brix for each orange. A plot of the measured versus calculated °Brix demonstrates a good level of agreement between the methods with an R2=0.98.
This example, while based on a small data set and produced in a controlled environment, demonstrates a proof of principle and provides a glimpse into the great potential value of HSI in orange-processing operations.

Want to know more?

Our Headwall Applications Team will work with you to explore how HSI can deliver value to your fruit processing plant or citrus grove! Spectral Imaging, Food Quality Field boxes or entire truck loads can be scanned in minutes and the results sent to production control stations. Real-time results help speed up receiving operations, optimize decision making and deliver significant ROI.

More Application Notes

Catching a drone after a flight over water from a small boat

Assessing Health of Coral

A team from Headwall scanned tanks of rehabilitating coral at Mote Marine Laboratories in Summerland Key, Florida using the Headwall Nano HP VNIR hyperspectral imaging sensor on our Rotary Stage. We also flew the Nano HP over a coral reef

Read More »
An RGB image of a mixture of herbs and spices alongside a hyperspectral false-color scan of the same pile.

Cayenne and Oregano

Spectral classification via the perClass Mira Software makes the task of assessing herb and spice quality less challenging by providing a clear indication of the presence of adulterants, and also provides a workflow of detecting unknown adulterants and additives.

Read More »
False-color hyperspectral image of cotton

Sorting Textiles for Recycling

Of the many efforts of conservation and reduction of waste, textiles remain one of the greatest challenges. The United States EPA estimates that of the 25 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste recycled, only 15% is recycled and repurposed, while

Read More »
Foreign Object Detection in Cheese Thumbnail showing detected and classified plastic objects

Foreign Object Detection in Cheese

When large blocks of cheese are unwrapped, cut, and repackaged, processors must inspect the cheese for any remaining debris. Clear or even tinted plastic is notoriously difficulty to spot by eye or conventional inspection methods. Recalls are costly and damaging

Read More »

More Application Notes

An RGB image of a mixture of herbs and spices alongside a hyperspectral false-color scan of the same pile.
Cayenne and Oregano

Spectral classification via the perClass Mira Software makes the task of assessing herb and spice quality less challenging by providing a clear indication of the

Read More »

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