Rapid and non-destructive determination of quality parameters in the ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango using a novel handheld near infrared spectrometer

• A new handheld ultra-compact NIR spectrometer was evaluated for mango fruit analysis.
• PLS models predicted quality parameters in intact mango with high accuracy.
• Models were used to monitor an independent fruit set during ripening.
• Changes in soluble solids and dry matter were successfully monitored during mangoes ripening.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of a new handheld ultra-compact near infrared (NIR) spectrometer, based on the linear-variable filter (LVF) technology for rapid and non-destructive quality control analysis of the ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango. Multivariate calibration models were built using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression method to determine soluble solids (SS), dry matter (DM), titratable acidity (TA) and pulp firmness (PF). Different spectral pre-processing techniques were tested. Coefficient of determination and root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) values were, respectively: 0.92 and 0.55 °Brix for SS, 0.67 and 0.51% for DM, 0.50 and 0.17% citric acid for TA, 0.72 and 12.2 N for PF. The predictive models allowed monitoring physico-chemical changes in each fruit during ripening. The results show the feasibility of using the new NIR handheld spectrometer to determine quality parameters in the ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango.