Near infrared analysis of soluble solids in intact cantaloupe

A nondestructive method is presented for the determination of soluble solids in 'Saticoy' cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus Naud.). Near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometry in the wavelength region of 800 to 1000 nm was used to analyze radiation which had interacted with cantaloupe flesh. The feasibility of the method was established using cantaloupe tissue slices, and the method was then extended to intact cantaloupe. The method uses calculated parameters from the spectral data, namely second derivatives determined at two distinct wavelengths, and correlates their ratio with soluble solids. Using tissue slices the correlation coefficient (r) was -0.97 with a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 0.56. The corresponding values for intact fruit were -0.60 and 1.67, respectively