An ultrasonic system for measuring the quality of bananas

Abstract

This thesis is about using ultrasonic technique to measure the quality of bananas by distinguishing the maturity stages of bananas. Ultrasonic waves which are propagated through banana specimens will be attenuated. The attenuation can be calculated and used to determine the maturity level of the bananas. Ultrasonic properties such as wave propagation velocity and attenuation were investigated when ultrasonic signals are transmitted through banana specimens. The objective of this research is to find the relationship between ultrasonic properties and the stages of banana maturity. The banana samples were tested from three categories standardized by the MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute). The three categories include Unripe, Ripe and Over-ripe. The samples were also tested for its firmness using a modified universal non-ferrous tester. The firmness and attenuation values are correlated. The pattern emerged is that the over-ripe bananas show more signal attenuation compared to the other two categories.