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Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments primarily found in fruits and vegetables. They accumulate in human skin and contribute to skin yellowness, which has a favorable effect on appearance. The association between specific fruit and vegetable intakes and skin yellowness is currently unknown and could help to promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption in those motivated by appearance, such as young women. The objective was to evaluate associations between specific fruit and vegetable intakes and skin yellowness in young women. It was hypothesized that the intake of fruits and vegetables known to be rich in carotenoids, particularly β-carotene, would account for the greatest variation in skin yellowness. One hundred and eighteen women (18–40 years) were recruited from the Hunter region, NSW, Australia. Fruit and vegetable intakes were assessed using the 2010 Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire and skin yellowness was measured using reflectance spectroscopy. Multiple linear regression was used to assess how much of the variation in skin yellowness is explained by fruit and vegetable intakes. Higher combined fruit and vegetable intake ( P  = .0004) and higher total fruit intake ( P  = .005) were associated with increased skin yellowness. Three specific fruits (apple/pear, mango/pawpaw and dried fruit) and five vegetables (beans/lentils, spinach, broccoli, corn, baked beans) also accounted for a significant proportion of the variation in skin yellowness ( P  < .05). In conclusion, the consumption of eight specific fruits and vegetables and total combined fruit and vegetable intake are positively associated with skin yellowness and this confers a desirable effect on appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a numerical method is proposed for simulating the coupled three dimensional heat and mass transfer processes during convective drying of apple slices. Spectral collocation method (pseudospectral method) is applied for discretizing both the space and time variables based on the Jacobi Gauss Lobatto (JGL) interpolation points. Also operational matrices of differentiation are implemented for approximating the derivative of the spatial and temporal variables. The external flow and temperature fields were simulated through the Fluent CFD package. The convective heat transfer coefficient is calculated from the lumped system analysis and convective mass transfer coefficient is computed through the analogy between the thermal and concentration boundary layers. The model is validated against experimental data in a range of air temperatures from 60 °C up to 90 °C. The results illustrate a remarkable agreement between the numerical predictions and experimental results, which confirm robustness, computationally efficient and high accuracy of the proposed approach for predicting the simultaneous heat and mass transfer in apple slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multifiber-based spatially resolved spectra collection system was designed. • Signal-to-noise ratio was improved by a two-step signal averaging process. • Location-specific calibration models were constructed by PLS regression analysis. • Multi calibration models were built individually to improve prediction robustness. • SSC and firmness predictions without light reference measurement was tested. Visible–near infrared (Vis–NIR) spectroscopy is a rapid and nondestructive method used to characterize organic compounds in postharvest fruit and vegetable assessment. However, developing robust calibration models is a challenge as conventional spectrometers collect only the cumulative effects of light absorption and scattering. In this study, a multifiber-based Vis–NIR spatially resolved spectra measurement system was designed for simultaneous evaluation of soluble solid content (SSC) and firmness in apple. Thirty silica fibers separated into five groups at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm away from the light illumination point and connected to a cost-effective Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging camera were used to acquire spectral data with an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) by a two-step signal averaging process (i.e., 30 camera pixels per fiber and six optical fibers per group). Reflectance ratio spectra were then calculated by dividing the diffusely reflected light intensity detected at distance d + △ by that detected at distance d to realize a light reference-free approach. Finally, the useful explanatory variables were selected by competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) to construct individual calibration models for various regions. The coefficients of determination (R c a l 2) and the root mean square errors (RMSE cal) of the best-performing calibration models were approximately 0.97 and 0.20 % for SSC and 0.96 and 0.37 N for firmness, respectively. Furthermore, the predicted results were 0.92 and 0.35 % for SSC and 0.87 and 0.71 N for firmness. Our method offers low-cost and portable detection of SSC and firmness for postharvest fruit evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TRS absorption coefficients are more related to pigment and water of the fruit flesh. • SRS absorption coefficients are strongly affected by pigments in the fruit skin. • Fruit softening was accompanied by increasing values of reduced scattering coefficient. • TRS and SRS capture valuable information on the changes in flesh texture. Bulk optical properties, in terms of absorption (μ a) and reduced scattering coefficients (μ ′ s), can be used for the non-destructive monitoring of fruit quality during ripening. In this study, the performance of time-resolved (TRS) and spatially-resolved (SRS) spectroscopy were compared by analyzing 'Braeburn' apples over a 21 d period of ripening. Nine batches of 20 apples each were measured on the blush side by TRS (540−1064 nm) and SRS (550−1000 nm). Every fruit was analyzed for skin color, texture characteristics, relative internal space volume (RISV), total solid soluble and titratable acidity contents. TRS absorption spectra showed two maxima, the highest at 980 nm (water) and the second at 670 nm (chlorophyll), while in SRS spectra the main peak was measured at 550 nm (anthocyanins) followed by that at 670 nm. The values of μ a 580 SRS and of μ a 670 SRS were much higher than those measured at the same wavelengths by TRS suggesting that TRS and SRS actually explore the apple tissue (skin and/or flesh) in a different way. The values of μ a 980 TRS were higher than those of μ a 980 SRS , probably due to the fact that water content was lower in the skin (mostly probed by SRS) than in the flesh (mostly probed by TRS). No significant correlations were found between μ a 580 SRS and μ a 580 TRS and between μ a 980 SRS and μ a 980 TRS but a low positive relationship was observed between μ a 670 TRS and μ a 670 SRS. On the contrary, high correlations were found between μ a 670 SRS and the spectral index I AD (index of absorbance difference) related to chlorophyll in the skin and between μ a 580 SRS and the spectral index ARI (anthocyanin reflectance index), related to anthocyanin content in the peel, suggesting that μ a 580 SRS is linked to the development of the red color in the peel. Both μ a 670 TRS and μ a 670 SRS decreased during fruit ripening, indicating a decline in chlorophyll in the flesh and skin, respectively. During the shelf life period, apples became soft and mealy, as mechanical and acoustic parameters decreased and RISV increased. Fruit softening was accompanied by increasing values of both μ ′ sTRS and μ ′ sSRS. The μ ′ sTRS and μ ′ sSRS were positively related to each other, were positively correlated to RISV and negatively related to mechanical and acoustic parameters. Both the TRS and SRS technique were able to follow ripening processes in 'Braeburn' apples during the shelf life period, as absorption phenomena were related to changes in pigments present in the fruit flesh and skin, while scattering events mirrored changes in the flesh texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Apple fruitlet drop was forecasted using Vis-NIR spectroscopy in-situ. • Specific setup was developed to perform the measurement of young fruitlets. • Different classification methods resulted in similar forecast accuracies. • The accuracy of the classification depended on the selected forecast time. • The proposed method could help improve chemical thinning management. Apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) tend to exhibit a biennial cycle: a heavy-flowering year with an excessive amount of low-quality fruits is followed by a year with scarce flowering and low fruit load. Chemical thinning is currently the only viable solution in large commercial operations to ensure adequate yield. However, most thinners are effective only in the first few weeks following bloom and thinning efficiency depends on numerous factors and is difficult to predict. Forecasting the expected fruitlet drop after an initial thinner application would help perform corrections with the subsequent application. In this study, we used in-situ spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) range to forecast fruitlets drop rate. The study was carried out on "Golden Delicious" apple trees during two growing seasons – in April 2017 and April 2018. As commonly done in commercial orchards, the fruitlet drop was amplified by the application of synthetic auxins 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and its amide (NAD). Fruitlets were tagged and monitored in situ every 2–4 days by measuring reflectance over the 400–1000 nm range. Special care was taken to assess sunlight interference during the measurement and correct it using a custom post-processing procedure. Measurements at 4–12 days after NAA/NAD treatment (days after treatment - DAT) were used to forecast fruitlet drop by 20–26 DAT (prediction dates). Principal component analysis (PCA(was carried out, followed by a classification algorithm (linear or quadratic discriminant analysis). Performing measurements on 4 DAT proved too early to predict fruitlet drop with satisfactory reliability (forecast accuracy 65%). Measurements at 6–12 DAT resulted in forecast accuracies of 80–97%, depending on the selected dates. The method offers a non-destructive prediction of apple fruitlet drop rate, which could lead to the development of a low-cost device that could help manage chemical thinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]