Situation of On-line Sorting System for Fresh Fruits in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is famous to the worldwide that produces variety fruits. Thai fruits are generally satisfied and entirely accepted from consumers in taste. Foreigners have paid a visit as tourist or have done business, always say that Thai fruits are one of the most impressive points in Thailand. In the market strategy, this is a good chance for taking benefits in commerce. A good image of fresh Thai fruits means good potential products in business. If Thai fruits are fully supported, promoted, and developed the process of production packaging and distribution as well as concentration to solve problems. Thai fruits will be premium products of Thailand to the world’s market. Good fame and income from export will immensely return to Thailand. But the main obstructed problem is the quality of fruits. Outside appearances and the internal quality of each fruit, must be good as consumers’ requirements. Therefore there is a question: Is it possible to assure the quality of each fruit in a big lot?. The answer is ‘yes’. That is ‘on-line sorting system for fresh fruits’ or ‘continuous sorting system on conveyer for fresh fruits’. That is nondestructive evaluation system for the quality of each intact fresh fruit. Technologies have been applied to use for measurement and prediction of fruit qualities. Many research reports showed that image analysis techniques were used for evaluation of visible appearance while near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a suitable technique for prediction of internal quality. NIRS is acceptable, accurate and reliable in use for fresh fruits. It is able to predict various internal qualities by only one time of measurement. It continuously inspects each fruit with high speed. Benefits of this system are convenient and easy to operate by producers or distributors. It makes consumers satisfy in all fruits they buy. Therefore, government should support this system for use in order to create a potential for export promotion. It will be able to increase export volume of fresh fruits. That will permanently advantage to farmers and economics of Thailand in the future.