In the quest to minimize postharvest losses and maximize economic benefits for one of the world’s most valuable fruit crops, researchers have developed an innovative, flexible visible light spectral sensing system that could revolutionize mango storage and monitoring. This breakthrough, published in the journal *Engineering Reports* (Eng), offers a promising solution to the persistent challenge of chilling injuries in mango cold chain storage.
Mangoes, a vital economic crop in tropical and subtropical regions, are highly susceptible to chilling injuries when stored at low temperatures. These injuries significantly impact the fruit’s quality and market value. Traditional detection methods, often labor-intensive and destructive, have proven inadequate in addressing this issue. Enter Longgang Ma, a researcher from the College of Engineering at China Agricultural University, and his team, who have designed a cutting-edge system that combines visible light spectral sensing technology with low-cost, environmentally friendly flexible circuit technology.
The system operates on a perception-analysis-warning-processing framework, utilizing laser-induced graphene electroplated copper integrated with laser etching technology for hardware fabrication. “This approach not only reduces production costs but also minimizes environmental impact,” Ma explains. The system’s data acquisition and processing functionalities are tailored to detect chilling injuries in mangoes with remarkable accuracy.
To validate their system, Ma and his team established a three-level chilling injury label dataset using Yunnan Yumang mangoes. After processing the data with Z-Score standardization, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model achieved an impressive prediction accuracy of 95.5%. The system’s efficiency is further highlighted by its low power consumption of 230 mW at a 4.5 V power supply, ensuring a battery life of over 130 days. Its stable signal transmission and multifunctional monitoring interface enable real-time warning and intervention, providing an intelligent and efficient solution for chilling injury monitoring in mango cold chain storage.
The implications of this research extend beyond the agricultural sector, offering valuable insights for the energy sector as well. The development of low-power, flexible sensing systems could pave the way for innovative energy monitoring and management solutions. As Ma notes, “The integration of flexible circuit technology with spectral sensing opens up new possibilities for various applications, including energy monitoring and environmental sensing.”
This research not only addresses a critical challenge in mango storage but also sets the stage for future advancements in flexible sensing technology. As the global demand for efficient and sustainable agricultural practices continues to grow, innovations like Ma’s flexible visible light spectral sensing system will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry. By providing real-time, non-destructive monitoring, this technology has the potential to significantly reduce postharvest losses, enhance food quality, and boost economic benefits for producers and consumers alike.