A Simple Ethylene-Detecting Device to Determine Ripeness of Individual Apples In Orchard

Economic losses due to inadequate ripeness detection in the orchard and post-harvest continue to plague the apple industry. It is anticipated that the in-orchard/packinghouse sensor approach will significantly reduce the waste/spoilage-to-edible-fruit ratio, thereby increasing fruit quality and availability and resultant consumer demand at the domestic retail level as well as in the export market. This ripeness detection system translates the natural plant ripening hormone ethylene into a colorimetric visual aid readily seen and "read" by the apple worker in the field. This approach utilizes an easily implemented ripeness detection device activated at the front end of the marketing pipeline, the critical point where fruit quality determination begins and where significant cost controls can be readily implemented.