Internal quality assessment of tomato fruits using image color analysis

Abstract

Nondestructive optical methods based on image analysis have been used for determining quality of tomato fruit. It is rapid and requires less sample preparation. A samples of fresh tomatoes were picked at different maturity stages, and determining chromaticity values (L*,a*,b*,a*/b*,h˚and ΔE) by image analysis and colorimeter. Total soluble solids (TSS), were measured by refractometer, lycopene extracting and expressed as mg/kg fresh tomato (FW). Results indicated that, during ripening both L*, b*, h˚, and ΔE tendency to decline, opposite tendency was determined with a*, a*/b* ratio, TSS and lycopene content. Chromaticity values have an important impact in internal quality parameters. Where, avg. of TSS, entire class and lycopene content had a positive linear correlation with a*/b* ratio. Contrary correlation was determined between avg. of TSS, entire class and both h˚ and ΔE. Meanwhile, h˚ and ΔE, had a negative logarithmic correlation with lycopene content. On the other hand, there were positive correlation between chromaticity values performed by image analysis technology and colorimeter. Where, on determining avg. of TSS, entire class, and lycopene content, correlations were linear with a*/b* ratio, and logarithmic with ΔE. Meanwhile, h˚ had alogarithmic correlation on determining avg. of TSS, entire class, and exponential correlation on determining lycopene content.