Determination of Mealiness in Apples using Ultrasonic Measurements

A system based on ultrasonic energy absorbance was developed, for non-destructive measurements of three levels of texture degradation towards mealiness in Jonagold and Cox apples. The ultrasonic system comprises a high-power generator and a pair of 80 kHz ultrasonic transducers. One transducer, acting as a transmitter, sends a pulse through the apple tissue, which absorbs part of its energy, depending on internal textural attributes, and the transmitted pulse is received as an emerging signal by the other transducer. The detected ultrasound waves were analysed in parallel with the determination of the mealiness level of the fruit in accordance with destructive measurements in confined compression. The results obtained in Cox apples showed a good correlation between the ultrasound measurements and the confined-compression destructive tests for each mealiness level.