INGENIEUR
interaction of the material with electric fields . When a material is placed inside an electric field , its molecules polarise according to the applied field frequency and eventually affect the current distribution . The polarisation of the molecules inside an electrical field is dictated according to the product dielectric properties , as well as the energy lost and stored by the same . Additionally , changes in the features of a dielectric material , such as moisture content or density , will alter its dielectric properties and , consequently , the induced electric field where it is located . This promising technique has been successfully used for determining moisture content , quality attributes and maturity level of fresh produce . Recently , it has successfully differentiated the maturity level in durians .
Future Trends and Conclusions
PA technology has broad prospects in future agricultural applications and research . It has been scientifically proven that it can optimise handling techniques , minimise economic and food losses , reduce postharvest physiological disorders and lessen decay . Progress made in advancements of postharvest technologies can promote efficient , simple , rapid , high precision , low cost devices with reliable support for decision making .
It is noteworthy that imaging and spectroscopy applications have grown due to reduced equipment costs , increased computational power , and increasing interest in non-destructive food assessment methods . This is especially due to the high computing power of the GPU that makes the complex computing and analysis processes possible and simpler . Rapid development of AI provides insights for decision support and practices for farmers and agricultural industries , ensuring the efficiency of agricultural production . Machine learning algorithms enable the analysis of massive volumes of data , regardless of complexity , both quickly and accurately .
However , the existing technologies still have much room for improvement , such as improving robust performance , building related data sets , and expanding the scope of applications for smarter and more comprehensive management . Being a living thing , agricultural commodities have high variation even from the same family traits . Different farming practices may result in heterogeneous output , which becomes the major challenge in PA practices . In such a complicated situation , better understanding of the fundamental physiological processes and responses for agricultural products to different methods of postharvest handling and processing through the use of PA is of critical importance . With continuous development and the evolution of intelligent technologies , the abilities of PA could be improved and the uncertainty and constraints could be overcome .
REFERENCE
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FAO . 2017 . The future of food and agriculture – Trends and challenges . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations . ISBN 978-92- 5-109551-5
Gan-Mor , S ., Regev , R ., Levi , A ., Eshel , D . 2011 . Adapted thermal imaging for the development of postharvest precision steam-disinfection technology for carrots . Postharvest Biology and Technology , 59 , 265 – 271 .
Kakani , V ., Nguyen , V . H ., Kumar , V . P ., Kim , H ., Pasupuleti , V . R . 2020 . A critical review on computer vision and artificial intelligence in food industry . Journal of Agriculture and Food Research , 2 , 100033 .
Konagaya , K ., Al Riza , D . F ., Nie , S ., Yoneda , M ., Hirata , T ., Takahashi , N ., Kuramoto , M ., Ogawa , Y ., Suzuki , T ., Kondo , N . 2020 . Monitoring mature tomato ( red stage ) quality during storage using ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence image . Postharvest Biology and Technology , 160 , 111031
Lu , R ., Beers , R . V ., Saeys , W ., Li , C ., Cen , H . 2020 . Measurement of optical properties of fruits and vegetables : A review . Postharvest Biology and Technology , 159 , 111003
22 VOL 84 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2020