Abstract
In order to visualize sugar content of a melon, the relationship between sugar content and absorption spectra was investigated using a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The absorbance at 676 nm had a high inverse correlation with sugar content. A high-resolution cooled CCD imaging camera with the band-pass filter of 676nm was used to capture the spectral absorption image. The calibration method for converting the absorbance on the image into Brix sugar content was developed in accordance with NIR techniques. Applying this method to each pixel of the absorption image, a color distribution map of the sugar content was constructed. Quantitative analysis of sugar distribution for unripe, mature and fully mature melons was carried out. In addition, a special slicing device that can cut a melon in each 5mm thickness was developed in order to create a 3-D image of sugar content distribution.
