Omani research project applies new technique for banana quality control
Muscat: The 'Banana fruit bruise detection using fractal dimension based image processing' is among the winning innovative research projects at the 11th National Research Award organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
Dr. Mai Khalfan Salim Al Dairi, Research Assistant at Sultan Qaboos University, won in the Information and Communication Technologies field in the Young Researcher's category.
Discussing her research project, Dr. Mai Al Dairi stated that bananas are susceptible to mechanical damage due to bruising caused by improper handling and it gets spoiled due to improper storage conditions.
The research team applied a simulated drop impact test and evaluated the mechanical damage magnitude by fractal dimension using a machine vision system to characterise the bruise intensity and quality of bananas as affected by different impact energies and storage temperatures.
Dr. Mai Al Dairi said that to evaluate the bruise area, the fractal dimension, browning index, grayscale value, and total colour difference were determined after 48 hours of impact by image processing. Besides, conventional analyses of bruise area, bruise size, and bruising susceptibility were also performed. The effect of drop heights, ball weights, and storage temperatures on the main quality parameters (weight, firmness, colour, sugar content, and acidity) was studied.
According to Dr. Mai Al Dairi, the results indicated that fractal dimension analysis provides high accuracy in describing bruises in bananas, opening up new avenues for improving quality control during transportation and storage.
The study identified a quality problem, showing that storing damaged bananas at improper temperatures can worsen the situation, leading to weight loss, reduced firmness, and significant changes in sugar and acidity, ultimately making the fruit less
appealing to consumers.
Through this study, Dr. Mai Al Dairi recommended using modern technologies such as applying fractal analysis to accurately assess the size of bruises and the severity of damage and utilising machine vision technologies to improve banana quality control throughout the supply chain; and choosing appropriate storage temperatures such as storing bananas at optimal temperatures that limit the aggravation of damage and maintain their nutritional and visual quality.
She maintained that these efforts contribute to providing a better product to
consumers and reducing economic losses for farmers and traders.
This research project was published in the journal Food Chemistry with an impact factor of 8.5. The research team consisted of Dr. Mai Al Dairi, Dr. Pankaj B. Pathare, Prof. Rashid Abdullah Al Yahyai, Dr. Hemanatha Jayasuriya, and Dr. Zahir
Humaid Al Attabi.
Regarding her win, Dr. Mai Al Dairi stated that 'Winning the National Research Award has been a profound recognition of my dedication to addressing one of the real-world challenges through research. It symbolises not only personal achievement but also the impact of myself and our Postharvest and Value Addition Research Team work on advancing knowledge and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. This award also serves as a motivation to further my commitment to meaningful research that benefits both local and global communities, inspiring others to pursue excellence in their fields.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Space Engineering Lab under development in Oman
MUSCAT, JUNE 3 The National Space Programme is currently developing a space engineering laboratory in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQ), according to a key official associated with the initiative. Dr Saud bin Humaid al Shueili, Head of the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the Space Engineering Lab initiative underscores Oman's investment in local talent and research. 'Oman has the personal talent and the Universities in the country with the clear potential to deliver and sustain a space industry. The national space programme is working closely with Sultan Qaboos University to develop the Oman Space Engineering Laboratory. This is an important national project for developing domestic capability and building space skills for the Omani population. Oman has many excellent universities producing graduates in relevant science subjects,' Dr Al Shueili added in an interview featured in SpaceTech Gulf. The official also shared that the programme is working closely with academic establishments and the private sector to explore opportunities for incorporating space education into existing courses. 'The National Programme is working with private companies and universities to understand how we can further integrate space specific elements into existing courses such as engineers, data science, and GIS,' he added. Capacity building has been identified as a key pillar of the Oman Space Policy and Executive Programme, a 10-year framework aimed at positioning Oman as a regional and global hub for space applications. The policy outlines a national strategy to upskill graduates, embed space content into academic programmes, and strengthen academia-industry cooperation. It also encourages the creation of mentorship, business coaching, and technical training opportunities that reflect real market demand. Last September, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology unveiled a tender for the development of a space accelerator programme which aims to support entrepreneurs and local startups in the sector by providing resources, funding and guidance to help them expand and bring innovative products to the local and global markets. According to the ministry, the programme will focus on various activities in the space sector including communications, earth observation, geospatial analytics, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data processing, data storage and preservation, space sustainability and spacecraft simulation.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Pact signed to turn oilfield waste into clean energy
MUSCAT, JUNE 3 Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has signed a pioneering research agreement with ARA Petroleum to explore innovative ways of converting produced brine—a waste byproduct from oil and gas operations—into sustainable energy resources such as biohydrogen and biochar. The agreement was signed at the University's Cultural Centre by Professor Amer bin Saif al Hinai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research at SQU, and Dr Omar bin Salim al Jaaidi, Vice President of ARA Petroleum. The project will be fully funded by ARA Petroleum and supported with its technical expertise, bringing together academic research and industrial know-how to support Oman's sustainability goals. In an interview with the Observer, Dr Saleh al Saadi, Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at SQU, said the collaboration reflects the University's core mission to advance technologies that address real-world challenges. 'This partnership aligns directly with SQU's vision of advancing sustainable technologies by addressing real industrial challenges through research,' Dr Al Saadi said. 'By converting produced water into biohydrogen and biochar, the project supports Oman's Vision 2040 and Net-Zero 2050 goals. It contributes to renewable energy development, water reuse, and environmental protection, while building local research capacity.' Produced brine, typically high in salinity and contaminants, is one of the oil sector's most complex waste streams. Dr Al Saadi's research team aims to overcome technical barriers such as low hydrogen yields and inefficiencies in the conversion process. 'We are tackling major challenges like the high salinity and toxicity of produced water,' he explained. 'Our team is developing an optimised two-stage fermentation system to increase hydrogen output, using biochar to enhance gas quality. In addition, we plan to incorporate AI modelling to improve process efficiency and ensure the project's economic viability. The aim is to transform waste into clean energy and agricultural inputs.' The collaboration is also notable for integrating public, private, and academic stakeholders. It has received strong backing from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, with its Ejaad platform playing a vital role in linking academia with industry. 'This collaboration unites academia (SQU), industry (ARA), and government (Ejaad) to address national priorities,' said Dr Al Saadi. 'It shows how joint innovation can drive Oman's transition to a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. It not only enables the development of real-world solutions, but also builds national expertise and accelerates the commercialisation of green technologies.' Dr Omar bin Salim al Jaaidi remarked, 'This collaboration underscores the strength of local expertise and the potential of Oman's young generation. By working with Sultan Qaboos University, we are not only developing sustainable energy solutions, but also empowering the next generation of innovators and researchers to lead efforts to address global environmental challenges.' As the world moves towards more circular and sustainable energy practices, this initiative places Oman at the forefront of research-driven solutions for resource recovery and decarbonisation in the hydrocarbon sector.
Muscat Daily
31-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Omani inventors win three medals at ITEX in Malaysia
Muscat – Oman won one silver and two gold medals at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2025) held in Kuala Lumpur that concluded on May 31. Badr bin Salim al Muqbali received a gold medal for his invention – a remote controlled device to operate a ring-bonding unit. Earlier, he won the Best Innovator Award presented by the Bunyan Foundation in Saudi Arabia. The second gold for Oman was claimed by Malak bint Khalifa al Harthi for her project involving a Portland cement composite reinforced with carbon nanoplates, proposed for use as dental filling. The silver medal was won by Yusra bint Yousef al Ghadani for her project titled 'Squid ink water filter'. Amna bint Ali al Siyabi, Research and Innovation Capacity Building Specialist at Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, described ITEX is a major international platform that allows young inventors to develop their ideas, connect with peers worldwide, and present their innovations to investors across sectors including medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, construction and energy. According to al Amna, the ministry received 59 applications for participation in ITEX this year. Twenty projects were shortlisted and assessed by a specialised jury, with the top three chosen to represent Oman based on creativity, feasibility and potential global impact. ITEX is held annually and brings together inventors, startups, investors and entrepreneurs from across Asia and Europe. This year's event featured over 1,000 inventions from more than 20 countries, offering opportunities for funding and industry exposure.
