Spectroscopic Techniques for Non-Destructive Ripeness Monitoring of Banana (Musa Acuminata CV.): A Vis-NIR Approach

Abstract

This manuscript examines the application of Visible Near-Infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy using the reflection method to predict banana ripeness. Over 10 days, from day 1 (initial shelf life) to day 10, forty uniformly unripe bananas (Musa Acuminata cv.) were monitored using both non-destructive and destructive methods to assess changes in their properties during ripening. Vis-NIR reflectance measurement served as a non-destructive method, while soluble solids content (SSC), pH, and firmness measurements, using a commercial refractometer, pH meter, and a sclerometer fruit hardness tester, were destructive methods. Results revealed changes in reflectance across the wavelength spectrum as the bananas ripened, especially near 980 nm, a region associated with variations in water content resulting from moisture loss during ripening. High correlations were found between the reflectance spectra and SSC, pH, firmness, and shelf days (r² = 0.8780, 0.8477, 0.9206, and 0.9720, respectively). In conclusion, Vis-NIR spectroscopy reflectance is an effective method for assessing fruit quality and predicting ripeness, promoting non-destructive methodologies in the agricultural and food industries.