Abstract
A non-destructive method for distinguishing intact potato tubers from those already exposed to mechanical damage (pressure and impact stresses) has been evaluated on three potato varieties (Agria, Marfona, and Diamant) using four pairs of ceramic ultrasonic transducers (25, 32.8, 40, and 50-kHz). Attenuation coefficient of the ultrasonic wave was used as the parameter to determine the tuber damage condition. The results obtained from 25-kHz transducers were more accurate than those from other frequencies. Results of the 25-kHz tests showed accuracies of 83%, 94.5%, and 89% in differentiating damaged tubers from intact ones for Agria, Marfona, and Diamant, respectively. In order to determine deformation energy and tangential elastic modulus of potato varieties, triaxial and uniaxial tests were used. Due to the higher average values of tangential elastic modulus in the Agria variety, it was concluded that the potato tubers of this variety are stiffer than those of Marfona and that; therefore, there is a higher ultrasonic attenuation in Agria tubers.
Resumen
Se evaluó un método no destructivo para distinguir los tubérculos de papa intactos de los que ya fueron expuestos a daños mecánicos (presión e impacto) en tres variedades (Agria, Marfona y Diamant), con cuatro pares de transductores ultrasónicos de cerámica (25, 32, 40 y 50 kHz). Se utilizó como parámetro el coeficiente de atenuación de la onda ultrasónica para determinar la condición de daño al tubérculo. Los resultados obtenidos de 25 kHz transductores fueron más precisos que los de otras frecuencias. Los resultados de las pruebas de 25 kHz mostraron una precisión de 83%, 94.5% y 89% en la diferenciación de los tubérculos dañados por los intactos para Agria, Marfona y Diamant, respectivamente. Con el fin de determinar la energía de deformación y módulo de elasticidad tangencial de las variedades de papa, se utilizaron las pruebas triaxial y tangencial. Debido a los valores promedio mas altos de la tangencial de módulo de elasticidad de la variedad Agria, se concluye que los tubérculos de papa de la variedad Agria son más rígidos que los de Marfona, y por tanto, hay una mayor atenuación ultrasónica en tubérculos de Agria.
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The authors would like to thank Amin Mirkalantari, department of electrical engineering for his guides, and providing the laboratory facilities.
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Esehaghbeygi, A., Raghami, N. & Kargar, A. Detection of Internal Defects in Potato Based on Ultrasound Attenuation. Am. J. Pot Res 88, 160–166 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-010-9177-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-010-9177-9