Detecting Hollow Heart in Potatoes Using Ultrasound

An ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation system was developed and used for quality evaluation of fruits and vegetables. Ultrasonic waves at 250 kHz were transmitted through whole potato tubers to investigate the existence of hollow heart. Hollow heart in the potatoes was successfully detected. The waveform of transmitted ultrasonic signals through a hollow heart potato differed from that of a potato without hollow heart. Further, the defective tubers could be separated on the basis of the amount of ultrasonic power transmitted through a potato.