Non-contact interactance NIR spectroscopy for estimating TSS and sensory sweetness in conveyor-belt transported cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum 'Piccolo').

Sweetness in tomatoes is a crucial quality feature, especially for high-cost varieties. Without efficient measurements, producers cannot guarantee sweetness, which may lead to low repurchase rates and increased food waste. In this article we report how total soluble solids (TSS), a measure for total sugar content, can be measured in cherry tomatoes using non-contact near-infrared (NIR) interactance spectroscopy.