Wojciech Mueller

Quality assessment of microwave-vacuum dried material with the use of computer image analysis and neural model

The farming area for vegetables in Poland is constantly changed and modified. Each year the cultivation structure of particular vegetables is different. However, it is the cultivation of carrots that plays a significant role among vegetables. According to the Main Statistical Office (GUS), in 2012 carrot held second position among the cultivated root vegetables, and it was estimated at 835 thousand tons. In the world we are perceived as the leading producer of carrot, due to the fourth place in the ranking of global producers. Poland is the largest producer of this vegetable in the EU [1]. It is also noteworthy, that the demand for dried vegetables is still increasing. This tendency affects the development of drying industry in our country, contributing to utilization of the product surplus. Dried vegetables are used increasingly often in various sectors of food products industry, due to high nutrition value, as well as to changing alimentary preferences of consumers [2-3]. Dried carrot plays a crucial role among dried vegetables, because of its wide scope of use and high nutrition value. It contains a lot of carotene and sugar present in the form of crystals. Carrot also undergoes many different drying processes, which makes it difficult to perform a reliable quality assessment and classification of this dried material. One of many qualitative properties of dried carrot, having important influence on a positive or negative result of the quality assessment, is color and shape. The aim of the research project was to develop a method for the analysis of microwave-vacuum dried carrot images, and its application for the classification of individual fractions in the sample studied for quality assessment. During the research digital photographs of dried carrot were taken, which constituted the basis for assessment performed by a dedicated computer programme developed as a part of the research. Consequently, using a neural model, the dried material was classified [4-6].

Computer image analysis in obtaining characteristics of images: greenhouse tomatoes in the process of generating learning sets of artificial neural networks

The aim of the project was to make the software which on the basis on image of greenhouse tomato allows for the extraction of its characteristics. Data gathered during the image analysis and processing were used to build learning sets of artificial neural networks. Program enables to process pictures in jpeg format, acquisition of statistical information of the picture and export them to an external file. Produced software is intended to batch analyze collected research material and obtained information saved as a csv file. Program allows for analysis of 33 independent parameters implicitly to describe tested image. The application is dedicated to processing and image analysis of greenhouse tomatoes. The program can be used for analysis of other fruits and vegetables of a spherical shape.

Organoleptic damage classification of potatoes with the use of image analysis in production process

In the agro-food sector security it is required the safety of a healthy food. Therefore, the farms are inspected by the quality standards of production in all sectors of production. Farms must meet the requirements dictated by the legal regulations in force in the European Union. Currently, manufacturers are seeking to make their food products have become unbeatable. This gives you the chance to form their own brand on the market. In addition, they use technologies that can increase the scale of production. Moreover, in the manufacturing process they tend to maintain a high level of quality of their products. Potatoes may be included in this group of agricultural products. Potatoes have become one of the major and popular edible plants. Globally, potatoes are used for consumption at 60%, Poland 40%. This is due to primarily advantages, consumer and nutritional qualities. Potatoes are easy to digest. Medium sized potato bigger than 60 mm in diameter contains only about 60 calories and very little fat. Moreover, it is the source of many vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E, etc. [1]. The parameters of quality consumer form, called organoleptic sensory properties, are evaluated by means of sensory organs by using the point method. The most important are: flavor, flesh color, darkening of the tuber flesh when raw and after cooking. In the production process it is important to adequate, relevant and accurate preparing potatoes for use and sale. Evaluation of the quality of potatoes is determined on the basis of organoleptic quality standards for potatoes. Therefore, there is a need to automate this process. To do this, use the appropriate tools, image analysis and classification models using artificial neural networks that will help assess the quality of potatoes [2, 3, 4].

Neural image analysis in the process of quality assessment: domestic pig oocytes

The questions related to quality classification of animal oocytes are explored by numerous scientific and research centres. This research is important, particularly in the context of improving the breeding value of farm animals. The methods leading to the stimulation of normal development of a larger number of fertilised animal oocytes in extracorporeal conditions are of special importance. Growing interest in the techniques of supported reproduction resulted in searching for new, increasingly effective methods for quality assessment of mammalian gametes and embryos. Progress in the production of in vitro animal embryos in fact depends on proper classification of obtained oocytes. The aim of this paper was the development of an original method for quality assessment of oocytes, performed on the basis of their graphical presentation in the form of microscopic digital images. The classification process was implemented on the basis of the information coded in the form of microphotographic pictures of the oocytes of domestic pig, using the modern methods of neural image analysis.

Dedicated computer system AOTK for image processing and analysis of horse navicular bone

The aim of the research was made the dedicated application AOTK (pol. Analiza Obrazu Trzeszczki Kopytowej) for image processing and analysis of horse navicular bone. The application was produced by using specialized software like Visual Studio 2013 and the .NET platform. To implement algorithms of image processing and analysis were used libraries of Aforge.NET. Implemented algorithms enabling accurate extraction of the characteristics of navicular bones and saving data to external files. Implemented in AOTK modules allowing the calculations of distance selected by user, preliminary assessment of conservation of structure of the examined objects. The application interface is designed in a way that ensures user the best possible view of the analyzed images.

Classification of dried vegetables using computer image analysis and artificial neural networks

In the recent years, there has been a continuously increasing demand for vegetables and dried vegetables. This trend affects the growth of the dehydration industry in Poland helping to exploit excess production. More and more often dried vegetables are used in various sectors of the food industry, both due to their high nutritional qualities and changes in consumers’ food preferences. As we observe an increase in consumer awareness regarding a healthy lifestyle and a boom in health food, there is also an increase in the consumption of such food, which means that the production and crop area can increase further. Among the dried vegetables, dried carrots play a strategic role due to their wide application range and high nutritional value. They contain high concentrations of carotene and sugar which is present in the form of crystals. Carrots are also the vegetables which are most often subjected to a wide range of dehydration processes; this makes it difficult to perform a reliable qualitative assessment and classification of this dried product. The many qualitative properties of dried carrots determining their positive or negative quality assessment include colour and shape. The aim of the research was to develop and implement the model of a computer system for the recognition and classification of freeze-dried, convection-dried and microwave vacuum dried products using the methods of computer image analysis and artificial neural networks.

Software supporting definition and extraction of the quality parameters of potatoes by using image analysis

The aim of this paper was to design and implement an information technology (IT) system supporting the analysis and interpretation of image descriptors. The software is characterized by its versatility and speed in operating while processing series of digital images. The computer system can be expanded by new methods and is dedicated as a kernel of an expert system. The application seeks to extract the parameters of quality characteristics of agricultural crops - in this case, potatoes – in order to generate a set of data as a .csv file. The system helps to prepare the assessment of quality parameters of potatoes and generate mathematical models using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) simulators such as MATLAB ANN Toolbox or STATISTICA ANN toolbox in order to create a training dataset and information in that dataset.

Image analysis techniques in the study of slug behaviour

This paper describes the research, whose goal was to develop an effective method based on the image analysis techniques for the evaluation of the slugs behaviour in the laboratory studies. The main task of the developed computer method is to assist in evaluating the degree of slugs’ acceptance of different plant species and varieties as food and to evaluate the effectiveness of active substances used against slugs. The laboratory tests are conducted in a climate chamber, into which are placed containers with grazing slugs, leaf circles and a hiding place. A video camera is installed in each container to monitor the slugs’ activity. The data from the cameras are stored on hard disks connected to a digital recording device. The task of the proposed computer algorithms is to perform automatic analysis of the stored video material. Video image analysis can be used to determine parameters relating to the slugs’ daily activity, the speed and trajectory of their movement, and the rate and extent of the damage done to the leaves. This task is performed in several stages including: movement detection, object recognition, object tracking and determination of the quantity of leaf damage.

Use of computer image analysis methods to evaluate the quality topping sugar beets with using artificial neural networks

The aim of the study was create a new, non-invasive method of assessing the quality of sugar beet topping using computer image analysis and artificial neural networks. In paper was carried out the analysis the methods used so far to topping assessment of roots and analysis of the possibilities of using the new proposed method. Classical methods allow an assessment only after harvest of roots (after pull out roots), and the proposed method enables the assessment before harvesting sugar beets. The study used 50 images of topped sugar beet roots, which have been subjected to computer analysis in order to improve the image contrast and brightness. The image was converted from color to images in grayscale, and was carried out segmentation and morphological transformations. Binary image was used to determine the surface area and root circuit and topping circiut. This information was used as input to the neural network, which was expanded to two features, ie. the ratio of the areas and circuits. On the output of the network was information about the topping in the form 0 and 1. Created neural network MLP 6:6-26-1:1 allowed for a sensitivity analysis, which returned information about two important features independent, ie. the surface area of the root and root surface area to topping. The analysis found that it is possible to use methods of computer image analysis for non-invasive assessment of the quality topping sugar beets.

Identification of the condition of crops based on geospatial data embedded in graph databases

The Web application presented here supports plant production and works with the graph database Neo4j shell to support the assessment of the condition of crops on the basis of geospatial data, including raster and vector data. The adoption of a graph database as a tool to store and manage the data, including geospatial data, is completely justified in the case of those agricultural holdings that have a wide range of types and sizes of crops. In addition, the authors tested the option of using the technology of Microsoft Cognitive Services at the level of produced application that enables an image analysis using the services provided. The presented application was designed using ASP.NET MVC technology and a wide range of leading IT tools.