Detection of Melon Maturity by Using Sound Sensor (KY-037) Based on Microcontroller (ATMEGA328)
Khandra Fahmy*, Ifmalinda, Aliman
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Andalas University, Kampus Unand Limau Manis, Padang-25163-Indonesia
Abstract
The maturity level of melon affects its harvested quality. Harvested fruit too ripe, it causes easily damage and shortens the self-life. The level of maturity also influences on the postharvest handling of the fruit. Therefore, investigation of fruit maturity is required as reference to determine the appropriate postharvest handling on the fruit. Commonly, the detection of melon maturity is conducted by conventional method by using a difference sound while fruit knocked. This method is very subjective because the hearing sensitive is quite different among individuals resulting in difference of maturity level. The purpose of study was to design of maturity detection tool of melon fruit by using sound sensor (KY-037) based on microcontroller (ATMEGA328). The maturity detection tool was designed by correlating between the sound frequency knocked of fruit with their qualities such as firmness, water content and total soluble solid. From the result obtained that the maturity detection tool was very accurate, which the coefficients determination were 0.8, 0.9 and 0,7 for the firmness, water content and total soluble solid.
Keywords: Melon, maturity, sound sensor, microcontroller
Topic: Postharvest and food engineering