LAUSR

BACKGROUND Determination of fresh whole raspberry quality is a laborious and expensive process for both commercial producers and researchers. Quantitative results for raspberry quality parameters are currently determined using a range of chemical tests within a commercial laboratory. The present work is the first calibration and validation of Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) for instantaneous and simultaneous of prediction of raspberry quality parameters. The importance and applicability of the findings of this research underscore its need and importance for both producers and researchers. RESULTS NIR quantification models were developed to predict the level of soluble solid concentration (SSC) and anthocyanins present in whole fresh raspberries. Results highlighted a promising application with prediction of anthocyanins (R2 cv = 0.77) and SSC (R2 cv = 0.77). The anthocyanin model had an error (RMSE) of 12.57 mg/L whilst SSC had 0.76 °Brix. CONCLUSION Both NIR models combined with new portable NIR devices provide unprecedented opportunity for the application of instantaneous and simultaneous quality parameter prediction for commercial raspberry producers and researchers. The numerous benefits NIR has brought to other horticultural industries are now closer in reality for the raspberry industry with this proof of concept. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.