Riccardo Guidetti

Environmental assessment of two different crop systems in terms of biomethane potential production.

The interest in renewable energy sources has gained great importance in Europe due to the need to reduce fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as required by the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) of the European Parliament. The production of energy from energy crops appears to be consistent with RED. The environmental impact related to this kind of energy primarily originates from crop cultivation. This research aimed to evaluate the environmental impact of different crop systems for biomass production: single and double crop. The environmental performances of maize and maize plus wheat were assessed from a life cycle perspective. Two alternative scenarios considering different yields, crop management, and climatic conditions, were also addressed. One normal cubic metre of potential methane was chosen as a functional unit. Methane potential production data were obtained through lab experimental tests. For both of the crop systems, the factors that have the greatest influence on the overall environmental burden are: fertilizer emissions, diesel fuel emissions, diesel fuel production, and pesticide production. Notwithstanding the greater level of methane potential production, the double crop system appears to have the worse environmental performance with respect to its single crop counterpart. This result is due to the bigger quantity of inputs needed for the double crop system. Therefore, the greater amount of biomass (silage) obtained through the double crop system is less than proportional to the environmental burden that results from the bigger quantity of inputs requested for double crop.

Testing of a simplified LED based vis/NIR system for rapid ripeness evaluation of white grape (Vitis vinifera L.) for Franciacorta wine

The aim of this work was to test a simplified optical prototype for a rapid estimation of the ripening parameters of white grape for Franciacorta wine directly in field. Spectral acquisition based on reflectance at four wavelengths (630, 690, 750 and 850 nm) was proposed. The integration of a simple processing algorithm in the microcontroller software would allow to visualize real time values of spectral reflectance. Non-destructive analyses were carried out on 95 grape bunches for a total of 475 berries. Samplings were performed weekly during the last ripening stages. Optical measurements were carried out both using the simplified system and a portable commercial vis/NIR spectrophotometer, as reference instrument for performance comparison. Chemometric analyses were performed in order to extract the maximum useful information from optical data. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed for a preliminary evaluation of the data. Correlations between the optical data matrix and ripening parameters (total soluble solids content, SSC; titratable acidity, TA) were carried out using partial least square (PLS) regression for spectra and using multiple linear regression (MLR) for data from the simplified device. Classification analysis were also performed with the aim of discriminate ripe and unripe samples. PCA, MLR and classification analyses show the effectiveness of the simplified system in separating samples among different sampling dates and in discriminating ripe from unripe samples. Finally, simple equations for SSC and TA prediction were calculated.

Wavelength Selection with a View to a Simplified Handheld Optical System to Estimate Grape Ripeness

The aim of this work was to identify the three most significant wavelengths able to discriminate in the field those grapes ready to be harvested using a simplified, handheld, and low-cost optical device. Nondestructive analyses were carried out on a total of 68 samples and 1,360 spectral measurements were made using a portable commercial vis/near-infrared spectrophotometer. Chemometric analyses were performed to extract the maximum useful information from spectral data and to select the most significant wavelengths. Correlations between the spectral data matrix and technological (total soluble solids) and phenolic (polyphenols) parameters were carried out using partial least square (PLS) regression. Standardized regression coefficients of the PLS model were used to select the relevant variables, representing the most useful information of the full spectral region. To support the variable selection, a qualitative evaluation of the average spectra and loading plot, derived from principal component analysis, was considered. The three selected wavelengths were 670 nm, corresponding to the chlorophyll absorption peak, 730 nm, equal to the maximum reflectance peak, and 780 nm, representing the third overtone of OH bond stretching. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression were applied on the three selected wavelengths in order to verify their effectiveness. Simple equations for total soluble solids and polyphenols prediction were calculated. The results demonstrated the feasibility of a simplified handheld device for ripeness assessment in the field.

OPTICAL TECHNIQUES TO ESTIMATE THE RIPENESS OF RED-PIGMENTED FRUITS

During fruit ripening, chlorophyll degradation is responsible for the degreening of the ground color, which is a well-established ripeness indicator for several species. In completely red-pigmented cultivars of fruits such as apples and peaches, this process is not visible, being masked by anthocyanins in the skin. Two different optical systems were developed to non-destructively assess the chlorophyll content in these fruits, to estimate ripeness, and to optimize harvesting and postharvest management. A fluorescence imaging system equipped with a UV-blue actinic light was used to obtain fluorescence images of fruit in which the gray level of pixels correlated (R2 = 0.81) with the firmness of fresh apples (Malus domestica cv. Red Delicious). With this technique it was possible to estimate changes in the firmness and soluble solids sugar content of stored Red Delicious apples undergoing no detectable hue change in the skin. Using the same system with a red actinic light, fluorescence correlated fairly well with firmness for fresh peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica cv. Elegant Lady, Summer Rich, and Morsiani 90), even though the detected fluorescence signal was low in intensity. A laser-diode based, dual-band reflectance probe was developed and tested on fresh peaches (cv. Summer Rich) and stored apples (cv. Royal Gala). The R/IR index, defined as the ratio of the signal measured in red and near-infrared bands, was found to correlate with the chlorophyll content of the fruits (R2 = 0.66), regardless of fruit species and anthocyanin presence. The R/IR index was used to track the postharvest ripening process for fresh peaches harvested at different maturity stages.

Chemometrics in Food Technology

The food sector is one of the most important voices in the economic field as it fulfills one of the main needs of man. The changes in the society in recent years have radically modified the food industry by combining the concept of globalization with the revaluation of local production. Besides the production needs to be global, in fact, there are always strong forces that tend to re-evaluate the expression of the deep local production like social history and centuries-old tradition.

A Simplified, Light Emitting Diode (LED) Based, Modular System to be Used for the Rapid Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Quality: Development and Validation on Dye Solutions.

NIR spectroscopy has proven to be one of the most efficient and ready to transfer tools to monitor product’s quality. Portable VIS/NIR instruments are particularly versatile and suitable for field use to monitor the ripening process or quality parameters. The aim of this work is to develop and evaluate a new simplified optoelectronic system for potential measurements on fruit and vegetables directly in the field. The development, characterization and validation of an operative prototype is discussed. LED technology was chosen for the design, and spectral acquisition at four specific wavelengths (630, 690, 750 and 850 nm) was proposed. Nevertheless, attention was given to the modularity and versatility of the system. Indeed, the possibility to change the light sources module with other wavelengths allows one to adapt the use of the same device for different foreseeable applications and objectives, e.g., ripeness evaluation, detection of particular diseases and disorders, chemical and physical property prediction, shelf life analysis, as well as for different natures of products (berry, leaf or liquid). Validation tests on blue dye water solutions have shown the capability of the system of discriminating low levels of reflectance, with a repeatability characterized by a standard deviation proportional to the measured intensity and in general limited to 2%–4%.

Rapid monitoring of grape withering using visible near-infrared spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND Wineries need new practical and quick instruments, non-destructive and able to quantitatively evaluate during withering the parameters that impact product quality. The aim of the work was to test an optical portable system (visible near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer) in a wavelength range of 400-1000 nm for the prediction of quality parameters of grape berries during withering. RESULTS A total of 300 red grape samples (Vitis vinifera L., Corvina cultivar) harvested in vintage year 2012 from the Valpolicella area (Verona, Italy) were analyzed. Qualitative (principal component analysis, PCA) and quantitative (partial least squares regression algorithm, PLS) evaluations were performed on grape spectra. PCA showed a clear sample grouping for the different withering stages. PLS models gave encouraging predictive capabilities for soluble solids content (R(2) val  = 0.62 and ratio performance deviation, RPD = 1.87) and firmness (R(2) val  = 0.56 and RPD = 1.79). CONCLUSION The work demonstrated the applicability of visible NIR spectroscopy as a rapid technique for the analysis of grape quality directly in barns, during withering. The sector could be provided with simple and inexpensive optical systems that could be used to monitor the withering degree of grape for better management of the wine production process.

Optical Techniques for Assessing the Fruit Maturity Stage

Among the several changes that a fruit undergoes during ripening, chlorophyll degradation is responsible for degreening of ground color, that is a well established maturity indicator for several species. In red pigmented cultivars of apples and peaches, of high interest for the European market, this process is not visible, being masked by a uniform layer of anthocyanins. Two different systems were developed to evaluate non-destructively the chlorophyll content in these fruits, basing on their optical properties, in order to assess their maturity stage allowing for an optimal, quality oriented harvest and post-harvest management. A fluorescence imaging system equipped with a blue actinic light, allowed to obtain fruits fluorescence images in which the gray level of pixels resulted well correlated with firmness of fresh apples (R2=0.81) and permitted to follow the post-harvest evolution of firmness and sugar content of stored apples, even in absence of significant skin colour changes. The system equipped with a red actinic light provided results fairly good correlated with firmness of fresh peaches and nectarines, even though the fluorescence signal resulted quite low due to the low chlorophyll content in the considered cultivars. A dual-band, laser-diode based, punctual reflectance probe was developed and tested on fresh peaches and stored apples. The index R/IR, defined as the ratio of the signal measured in red and near-infrared band, was found to correlate the chlorophyll content of the fruits with R2=0.66, regardless the differences due to the species. Moreover, R/IR resulted a fairly good estimator of conventional quality indices (correlations R2=0.4-0.5 with sugars and firmness), and allowed to track the post-harvest ripening process, showing different evolution patterns for fresh peaches at different maturity stages.

Application of visible/near infrared spectroscopy to quality control of fresh fruits and vegetables in large‐scale mass distribution channels: a preliminary test on carrots and tomatoes

BACKGROUND The market for fruits and vegetables is mainly controlled by the mass distribution channel (MDC). MDC buyers do not have useful instruments to rapidly evaluate the quality of the products. Decisions by the buyers are driven primarily by pricing strategies rather than product quality. Simple, rapid and easy-to-use methods for objectively evaluating the quality of postharvest products are needed. The present study aimed to use visible and near-infrared (vis/NIR) spectroscopy to estimate some qualitative parameters of two low-price products (carrots and tomatoes) of various brands, as well as evaluate the applicability of this technique for use in stores. RESULTS A non-destructive optical system (vis/NIR spectrophotometer with a reflection probe, spectral range 450-1650 nm) was tested. The differences in quality among carrots and tomatoes purchased from 13 stores on various dates were examined. The reference quality parameters (firmness, water content, soluble solids content, pH and colour) were correlated with the spectral readings. The models derived from the optical data gave positive results, in particular for the prediction of the soluble solids content and the colour, with better results for tomatoes than for carrots. CONCLUSION The application of optical techniques may help MDC buyers to monitor the quality of postharvest products, leading to an effective optimization of the entire supply chain.

Comparison of two immersion probes coupled with visible/near infrared spectroscopy to assess the must infection at the grape receiving area

Abstract The aim of this work was to investigate the applicability of visible/near infrared (vis/NIR) spectroscopy comparing two immersion probes to evaluate the phytosanitary status of must at the grape receiving area to support wineries for an objective quantification of grape infection level. The experimentation was conducted on white and red varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), employing grapes naturally infected with the major wine grape diseases. A total of 159 musts were product and analysed by using a vis/NIR spectrophotometer coupled with two kind of immersion probes: a reflectance probe and a transmittance one. Classification analysis (Partial Least Squares – Discriminant Analysis, PLS-DA) was performed on musts spectra to test the performance of the spectrophotometer, combined with the two probes, to classify healthy and infected samples. Considering three different spectral range analysed (430–1000 nm; 1000–1650 nm; 430–1650 nm), the results obtained from PLS-DA models, in cross-validation, gave values of correctly classified samples (accuracy, %) between 52.5% and 90.4%, and ranged from 68.4% to 84.3% for reflectance and transmittance probes respectively. The optical system was tested in controlled laboratory conditions, simulating the desirable final use of device. A future real scale application could be envisaged inside the analysis tank at the grape receiving area, after setting the operative conditions to perform the measurements directly coupled with the traditional and common quality analysis (soluble solid content and acidity) performed on grape musts sampled at the grape consignment.