Development of a predictive model for assessing quality of winter jujube during storage utilizing hyperspectral imaging technology

Abstract The necessity for precise determination of fruit storage durations is paramount in both industrial and domestic spheres, with hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology emerging as a pivotal tool for prognosticating the physicochemical attributes indicative of mature fruit quality. This investigation employed hyperspectral imaging to conduct a noninvasive analysis of variations in soluble solids content (SSC), hardness, and moisture content (MC) in jujube fruit over the course of storage at divergent temperatures. Throughout the storage intervals (0, 7, 14, and 21 days) at varying temperatures (4 and 20°C), both physicochemical and spectral data were amassed. The raw spectral information underwent preprocessing through multiple scattering correction (MSC), standard normal variation (SNV), and Savitzky–Golay (SG) algorithms to refine the methodologies for SSC, hardness, and moisture content. Subsequently, the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) algorithm facilitated the discernment and elimination of extraneous variables, thereby enhancing feature wavelength extraction. This process underpinned the development of partial least squares regression (PLSR), back propagation (BP), and genetic algorithm‐back propagation (GA‐BP) models predicated on CARS‐derived features, culminating in the selection of an optimal model. The findings underscore the capability of hyperspectral imaging technology to swiftly and nondestructively ascertain the SSC, hardness, and MC of jujube throughout the storage phase, thereby enabling the assessment of quality attributes over varying storage durations and facilitating the surveillance of jujube quality maintenance during storage. Practical Applications The winter jujube garners appreciation from consumers owing to its exquisite flavor, yet its quality diminishes over time in storage due to various factors, thereby impacting its market value. Consequently, it is imperative to surveil the quality alterations of jujube throughout its storage to mitigate the degradation of its quality. Hyperspectral imaging technology offers a sophisticated means to forecast the physicochemical index changes indicative of the fruit's quality at maturity. This research delineates the development of predictive models for the soluble solids, hardness, and moisture content of jujube at divergent temperatures throughout the storage interval, selecting the paramount model through a holistic assessment, thereby fully harnessing the capabilities of hyperspectral imaging technology in monitoring jujube quality during storage. Moreover, the methodology employed herein is adaptable to other fruits in storage, harboring the potential for future application in the real‐time quality monitoring of fruits as they exit the storage facilities.