The IVIS imaging system: Principle, performance, applications and perspectives in postharvest research

The In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) is an advanced optical imaging platform initially designed for biomedical research, combining fluorescence and bioluminescence. It integrates a highly sensitive cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a filter system, and a customized software for optical signal control and analysis. This configuration enables non-invasive monitoring of biological processes at the whole-organism level and allows the detection of extremely weak luminescent or fluorescent signals. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of the system's fundamental principles, technical components, image acquisition modalities and application across biological systems, along with perspectives for postharvest research. Although current applications in postharvest research remain limited, its capabilities show great promise. It could facilitate studies on the physiological mechanisms of fresh produce and the evaluation of redox state during postharvest storage. Given its potential for a wide range of applications, our objective is therefore to promote its use in postharvest research.