Portable near-infrared spectral imaging combining deep learning and chemometrics for dry matter and soluble solids prediction in intact kiwifruit

A novel case of developing a portable spectral imaging device for kiwifruit analysis is presented. Furthermore, a new complementary spectral image processing strategy combining deep learning and advanced chemometric is proposed for processing the spectral images. The deep learning was used for detection and localisation of harvested fruit in the spectral image while the chemometric modelling was used to predict multiple fruit quality related properties i.e., dry matter and soluble solids content. The developed models were independently validated on fruit harvested from a different orchard as well as on a different variety. The one touch spectral imaging presented in this paper can allow widespread usage of spectral imaging for fresh fruit analysis, particularly benefitting non-experts in spectral imaging and chemometrics to routinely use the spectral imaging for fresh fruit analysis.