Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality
Farm-to-table operations produce, transport, and deliver produce to consumers in very different ways than conventional, corporate-scale agriculture operations. As a result, the time it takes to get a freshly picked fruit to the consumer is relatively short and the expectations of the consumer for fr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/5/1634 |
| _version_ | 1827588212904689664 |
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| author | Denise Wilson |
| author_facet | Denise Wilson |
| author_sort | Denise Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Farm-to-table operations produce, transport, and deliver produce to consumers in very different ways than conventional, corporate-scale agriculture operations. As a result, the time it takes to get a freshly picked fruit to the consumer is relatively short and the expectations of the consumer for freshness and quality are high. Since many of these operations involve small farms and small businesses, resources to deploy sensors and instruments for monitoring quality are scarce compared to larger operations. Within stringent power, cost, and size constraints, this article analyzes chemical sensor technologies suitable for monitoring fruit quality from the point of harvest to consumption in farm-to-table operations. Approaches to measuring sweetness (sugar content), acidity (pH), and ethylene gas are emphasized. Not surprisingly, many instruments developed for laboratory use or larger-scale operations are not suitable for farm-to-table operations. However, there are many opportunities still available to adapt pH, sugar, and ethylene sensing to the unique needs of localized farm-to-table operations that can help these operations survive and expand well into the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:30:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2adb3465f3284944b23ea6ed483b4d8b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:30:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-2adb3465f3284944b23ea6ed483b4d8b2023-12-11T18:32:40ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-02-01215163410.3390/s21051634Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit QualityDenise Wilson0Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2500, USAFarm-to-table operations produce, transport, and deliver produce to consumers in very different ways than conventional, corporate-scale agriculture operations. As a result, the time it takes to get a freshly picked fruit to the consumer is relatively short and the expectations of the consumer for freshness and quality are high. Since many of these operations involve small farms and small businesses, resources to deploy sensors and instruments for monitoring quality are scarce compared to larger operations. Within stringent power, cost, and size constraints, this article analyzes chemical sensor technologies suitable for monitoring fruit quality from the point of harvest to consumption in farm-to-table operations. Approaches to measuring sweetness (sugar content), acidity (pH), and ethylene gas are emphasized. Not surprisingly, many instruments developed for laboratory use or larger-scale operations are not suitable for farm-to-table operations. However, there are many opportunities still available to adapt pH, sugar, and ethylene sensing to the unique needs of localized farm-to-table operations that can help these operations survive and expand well into the future.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/5/1634farm-to-tablecommunity-supported agriculturesustainable agriculturepH sensorsBrix sensorssugar content |
| spellingShingle | Denise Wilson Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality Sensors farm-to-table community-supported agriculture sustainable agriculture pH sensors Brix sensors sugar content |
| title | Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality |
| title_full | Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality |
| title_fullStr | Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality |
| title_short | Chemical Sensors for Farm-to-Table Monitoring of Fruit Quality |
| title_sort | chemical sensors for farm to table monitoring of fruit quality |
| topic | farm-to-table community-supported agriculture sustainable agriculture pH sensors Brix sensors sugar content |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/5/1634 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT denisewilson chemicalsensorsforfarmtotablemonitoringoffruitquality |