In this study, an approach to visualize the spatial distribution of sugar content in white strawberry fruit flesh using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI; 913–2166 nm) is developed. NIR-HSI data collected from 180 samples of “Tochigi iW1 go” white strawberries are investigated. In order to recognize the pixels corresponding to the flesh and achene on the surface of the strawberries, principal component analysis (PCA) and image processing are conducted after smoothing and standard normal variate (SNV) pretreatment of the data. Explanatory partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis is performed to develop an appropriate model to predict Brix reference values. The PLSR model constructed from the raw spectra extracted from the flesh region of interest yields high prediction accuracy with an RMSEP and $R^2{}_p$ values of 0.576 and 0.841, respectively, and with a relatively low number of PLS factors. The Brix heatmap images and violin plots for each sample exhibit characteristics feature of sugar content distribution in the flesh of the strawberries. These findings offer insights into the feasibility of designing a noncontact system to monitor the quality of white strawberries.

The most common harvesting method of Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) is manual harvesting, resulting in low efficiency and high cost. Meanwhile, the efficiency of vibration harvesting, which is considered an efficient mechanical harvesting method, can be significantly improved if the optimized resonance frequency of the shrub can be obtained. To vibration harvest fruit efficiently, a 3D model of the shrub was established based on measurements of the shape parameters, and material mechanics models of the branches were established based on physical tests. The modal analysis of the shrub based on finite element method (FEM) simulation was performed to obtain the range of resonance frequency, and the modal experiment of the shrub using acceleration sensors and an impact hammer was conducted to obtain the accurate resonance frequency. Based on the results of the modal analysis and experiment, the optimized resonance frequency was determined to be 2 Hz. The field experiment showed that the fruit fell off when the branches were vibrated at this frequency. The results provide the design basis for the efficient vibration harvesting of L. barbarum.

From the viewpoint of combating illegal logging and examining wood properties, there is a contemporary demand for a wood species identification system.

Abaca fibers were subjected to a TEMPO mediated oxidation to extract nanocellulose on a 500 L capacity locally fabricated reactor. A yield of 46.7% white gel material with 2.23% solid content was obtained from an overnight reaction. Transmission electron microscopy scan of the white gel material confirms the production of relatively short highly individualized cellulose nanofibril (CNF) as the diameter of abaca fiber was reduced from 16.28 μm to 3.12 nm with fiber length in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm. Nanocellulose film was prepared using air drying (CNF-VC) and vacuum oven drying (CNF-OD). The effect of CNF concentration on the physical, morphological, thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated. FTIR spectra showed cellulose I spectra between abaca fiber with both the CNF-VC film and CNF-OD film with two distinct peaks at 1620 cm⁻¹ and 1720 cm⁻¹ attributed to the carboxyl group resulting from the TEMPO oxidation. In addition, the carboxyl group decreases in thermal stability of cellulose. Moreover, the XRD scan showed a decrease in crystallinity index of CNF films compared to abaca fibers. CNF-VC film showed the highest tensile strength at 0.4% concentration with 88.30 MPa, while a 89.72 MPa was observed for CNF-OD film at 0.8% concentration.

When harvesting Lycium barbarum L., excess amounts of detachments of the half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves significantly affect the yield and adversely affect the subsequent processing, such as drying and grading. Finite element method (FEM) simulations and experiments of detachments were performed to harvest more ripe fruit and less half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, leaves, fruit calyxes (flower calyx), fruit stems (flower stem), and branches were constructed using a 3D scanner, and material mechanics models of the above parts were established based on physical tests with universal testing machines. Detachment simulations and experiments of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves were performed to determine the detachment mechanisms and sequences. The detachment forces of each set of two parts were obtained. The field experiments showed that the detachment force between the fruit and calyx of ripe fruit was the lowest value of these forces, and only the ripe fruit was the first to detach from the calyx when harvesting. The results provided data support on the mechanics properties of wood and the optimization basis for the harvesting method of L. barbarum.

In recent years, due to breeding improvements, strawberries with low anthocyanin content and a white rind are now available, and they are highly valued in the market. Strawberries with white skin color do not turn red when ripe, making it difficult to judge ripeness. The soluble solids content (SSC) is an indicator of fruit quality and is closely related to ripeness. In this study, visible–near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy are used for non-destructive evaluation of the SSC. Vis-NIR (500–978 nm) and NIR (908–1676 nm) data collected from 180 samples of “Tochigi iW1 go” white strawberries and 150 samples of “Tochigi i27 go” red strawberries are investigated. The white strawberry SSC model developed by partial least squares regression (PLSR) in Vis-NIR had a determination coefficient R²_p of 0.89 and a root mean square error prediction (RMSEP) of 0.40%; the model developed in NIR showed satisfactory estimation accuracy with an R²_p of 0.85 and an RMSEP of 0.43%. These estimation accuracies were comparable to the results of the red strawberry model. Absorption derived from anthocyanin and chlorophyll pigments in white strawberries was observed in the Vis-NIR region. In addition, a dataset consisting of red and white strawberries can be used to predict the pigment-independent SSC. These results contribute to the development of methods for a rapid fruit sorting system and the development of an on-site ripeness determination system.