Infrared beam boast fruits sweetness

An Australian fruit company now has the technology to determine the sweetness of its product - with a simple ray of light, reports IndustrySearch.com

Back O'Bourke Fruits this week became the first Australian company to use the Near Infrared Spectrum (NIRS) technology. Developed by The Harvest Company, Horticulture Australia, Colorvision Systems and the University of Central Queensland, the grading system will shortly be available across Australia.

Agriculture Minister Warren Truss said the NRIS will revolutionise quality assurance processes in packing sheds."Under present systems, fruit can only be graded for its sweetness by penetration and therefore rendering it unsaleable,"​ he said in a statement.

The NRIS directs light into the fruit and when reflected back from the fruit, the light gives an accurate grading of its sweetness.The system can grade up to 600 pieces of fruit a minute without damage.

"This will not only ensure the satisfaction of domestic consumers of horticultural produce but will enhance the industry's prospects for creating new opportunities in overseas markets through quality assurance guarantees and the targeting of various graded fruit for different markets,"​ Truss said.