Enhanced Antenna System for Non-invasive Quality Assessment and Defect Identification in Fruits: Uniting Tomographic Image Reconstruction with FTIR Spectroscopy

This study presents a comprehensive exploration of an antenna system designed for tomographic image reconstruction, with a particular focus on the application to various fruits. The antenna, simulated using CST software and physically manufactured, operates in two frequency bands (0.915 GHz and 2.45 GHz) and is arranged in a circular configuration for signal reception. The experimental setup incorporates a microwave source generator, an 8-element antenna array, a vector network analyzer (VNA), and probes. Employing the “Dielectric Anomaly Detection Approach,” the system achieves detailed tomographic reconstructions, emphasizing dielectric anomalies in defective fruit regions. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is employed to examine the molecular composition of fruit specimens, providing insights into their chemical properties. The non-invasive nature of the experimental setup is highlighted in contrast to the invasive FTIR method, offering advantages in assessing fruit quality without altering specimens.