Vis/NIR Spectroscopy and Vis/NIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Non-Destructive Monitoring of Apricot Fruit Internal Quality with Machine Learning.

The fruit supply chain requires simple, non-destructive, and fast tools for quality evaluation both in the field and during the post-harvest phase. In this study, a portable visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectrophotometer and a portable Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging (HSI) device were tested to highlight genetic differences among apricot cultivars, and to develop multi-cultivar and multi-year models for the most important marketable attributes (total soluble solids, TSS; titratable acidity, TA; dry matter, DM). To do this, the fruits of seventeen cultivars from a single experimental orchard harvested at the commercial maturity stage were considered.

Evaluation of Nutritional Values of Edible Algal Species Using a Shortwave Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning Technique.

In recent years, the growing demand for algae in Western countries is due to their richness in nutrients and bioactive compounds, and their use as ingredients for foods, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fertilizers, biofuels,, etc. Evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of algae involves assessing their physicochemical and nutritional components to determine their suitability for specific end uses, but this assessment is generally performed using destructive, expensive, and time-consuming traditional chemical analyses, and requires sample preparation. The hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique has been successfully applied in food quality assessment and control and has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional biochemical methods.

A Performance Evaluation of Two Hyperspectral Imaging Systems for the Prediction of Strawberries' Pomological Traits.

Pomological traits are the major factors determining the quality and price of fresh fruits. This research was aimed to investigate the feasibility of using two hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems in the wavelength regions comprising visible to near infrared (VisNIR) (400-1000 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) (935-1720 nm) for predicting four strawberry quality attributes (firmness-FF, total soluble solid content-TSS, titratable acidity-TA, and dry matter-DM). Prediction models were developed based on artificial neural networks (ANN).

New Validated Short Questionnaire for the Evaluation of the Adherence of Mediterranean Diet and Nutritional Sustainability in All Adult Population Groups.

High adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) is favourable for its sustainability and beneficial effects on health. The available questionnaires, according to the MD dietary pattern, include the assessment of moderate alcohol consumption; but some groups, such as young adults and pre-conceptional and pregnant women, are not allowed to consume it. The aim of this study was to validate a new short questionnaire (MedQ-Sus) excluding alcohol consumption, to measure the adherence to the MD and to evaluate the nutritional adherence to a sustainable diet.

Technological Properties and Consumer Acceptability of Bakery Products Enriched with Brewers' Spent Grains.

Nowadays, brewers' spent grains (BSG) is considered the most abundant and low-cost brewing by-products, presenting a great potential as a functional food ingredient. Since BSG is rich in dietary fiber and protein, it can be a raw material of interest in bakery products. However, blending wheat flour with BSG can affect dough rheology and the structural and sensorial properties of products.