HYPERSPECTRAL REFLECTANCE AND FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM FOR FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY

Abstract

This article presents a laboratorybased hyperspectral imaging system designed and developed by theInstrumentation and Sensing Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland. The spectral range is from430 to 930 nm with spectral resolution of approximately 10 nm (full width at half maximum) and spatial resolution better than1 mm. Our system is capable of reflectance and fluorescence measurements with the use of dual illumination sources wherefluorescence emissions are measured with ultraviolet (UVA) excitation. We present the calibrations and imagecorrectionprocedures for the system artifacts and heterogeneous responses caused by the optics, sensor, and lighting conditionsthroughout the spectrum region for reflectance and fluorescence. The results of the fluorescence correction method showedthat the system responses throughout the spectrum region were normalized to within 0.5% error. The versatility of thehyperspectral imaging system was demonstrated with sample fluorescence and reflectance images of a normal apple and anapple with fungal contamination and bruised spots. The primary use of the imaging system in our laboratory is to conductfood safety and quality research. However, we envision that this unique system can be used in a number of scientificapplications.