Rapid, Non-Destructive Prediction of Ripeness of Pink Lady Apples by Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Methods to Monitor Firmness, Sugar Content, Juiciness and Acidity

Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world and are available year- round. In France, Pink Lady production has increased despite stable global production in recent years. To meet consumer expectations in terms of quality, apples must be at optimum ripeness. Traditional destructive methods are currently used to measure physicochemical parameters. To avoid such destructive measurements, it has been shown in the literature that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can predict fructose and glucose content in apple juice, as well as firmness, titratable acidity and sugar content in Fuji. The present study demonstrates the relevance of the MicroNIR spectrometer to address agricultural sustainability concerns. This compact device is easy to use in the field and allows non-destructive monitoring of the physicochemical characteristics of Pink Lady. The device acquires NIR spectra from different areas of apples, followed by standard analyses to assess these characteristics. Results indicate no impact on measurements across different quarters of the apple, though there is a slight impact between the median zone and the poles. Firmness is predictable with a 77 N threshold (using partial least square regression), and juiciness prediction is reliable, though a larger database could improve the model. Predictions for sugar content and acidity still need improvement, which would confirm the MicroNIR device’s potential for assessing Pink Lady apple ripeness in the field.