Acoustic/Ultrasonic

Properties of Fresh
Produce
Chapter 4.6
Frequency Spectrum of Sound Waves
 Acoustic Response

• The study of acoustic response deals mainly with the

transmission of mechanical waves (sound waves and
vibrations) through a medium, such as fruit and
vegetables.
• As the wave travels through a sample, it encounters
the tissue boundaries that affects its characteristic.
 Methods of Measurement

• Impact devices- a small pendulum, or spring loaded

device is used to generate a small non-destructive
impact on one face of the sample.
• A microphone gathers the sound and records the
waveform in a computer.
 Methods of Measurement

• Resonant frequency- use of speaker driver from a

stereo as a source of vibration and is placed under
the sample.
• A sensor was placed on top to measure the
acceleration produced by the vibrations travelling
through the sample.
 Methods of Measurement

• Impact rebound method- samples of varying

firmness have different rebound distances when
impacting a rigid surface.
• These can be used to separate the commodities based
on degree of ripeness, maturity, or quality.
 Methods of Measurement

• Impact force method- the firmness of a commodity

has a direct effect on its force response when it hits a
rigid surface.
• A sensor on the impact surface records the force
response of the sample dependent on the impact
velocity, weight, shape, and firmness of the sample.
• Chen and Sun 1991
 Applications

Basis for classification- the use of sound produced

by tapping a commodity with the thumb and
forefinger to determine its maturity where
classification is based on farmer’s experience.
Improvement of packing and transport practice- by
knowing the resonant frequency if the commodity as
well as the vibration characteristic of the transport
vehicle, the proper packing depth and method could
 Ultrasonic Transmission

• Sound waves above the hearing range of human

being are considered ultrasonic, and include all those
having a frequency greater than 20kHz.
Frequency Spectrum of Sound Waves
 Methods of Measurement

• The basic system uses an ultrasonic emitter to

produce pulses that travel through a sample.
• As the pulses pass through, they are altered
according to the internal condition of the sample and
are received by the recorder and analyzed by a
computer.
 Applications

Non-destructive evaluation of internal quality-

detection of internal discontinuities e.g. hollow heart
in potato, or air pockets due to internal breakdown of
mango
• Potential applications of this method includes non-
destructive assessment of maturity and prediction of
shelf life of fruit.
 Applications

Non-destructive detection of internal defects-

detection of internal defects such as the cavity
produced on the commodity due to insect
manifestation
• Ultrasonic sound waves at 24.6 kHz transmitted
through normal and infested commodity shows a clear
difference in reflected waveforms as observed .
• The method has 80% accuracy on infestation and 75%
That’s All,
Thank You
Chapter 4.6