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This work develops automated systems based on computer vision to improve the quality control and sorting of dried figs of Cosenza (protected denomination of origin) focusing on two research issues. The first one was based on qualitative discrimination of figs through colour assessment comparing the analysis of colour images obtained using a digital camera, with those obtained according to conventional instrumental methods, i.e. colourimetry currently done in laboratories. Data were expressed in terms of CIE XYZ, CIELAB and HunterLab colour spaces, as well as the browning index measurement of each fruit, that were analyzed using PCA and PLS-DA based methods. The results showed that both chroma meter and image analysis allowed a complete distinction between high quality and deteriorated figs, according to colour attributes. The second issue had the purpose to develop image processing algorithms to achieve real-time sorting of figs using an experimental prototype based on 2 machine vision, advancing an industrial application. An extremely high 99.5% of deteriorated figs were classified correctly as well as 89.0% of light good quality figs. Lower percentage was obtained for dark good quality figs but results were acceptable since the most of the confusion was among the two classes of good product.

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This work was undertaken to analyze the ripening process of avocados variety Hass (Persea americana Mill.) by image processing (IP) methodology. A set of avocados (10 samples) was used to follow the changes in image features during ripening by applying a computer vision system, extracting color and textural parameters. Other 16 avocados were used to evaluate the firmness and mass loss. Three maturity stages of avocados were established, and a classification was obtained by applying principal component analysis and k-nearest neighbor algorithm. During the ripening process (12 days), avocado firmness decreased from 75.43 to 2.63 N, while skin color values kept invariable during 6 days; after that, a decrement in the peel green color (a*) was observed (−9.68 to 2.32). Image features showed that during ripening the color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), entropy (4.29 to 4.00), angular second moment (0.287 to 0.360), and fractal dimension (2.58 to 2.44) had a similar path as compared to mass loss, a*, and firmness ripening parameters, respectively. Relationships between image features and ripening parameters were obtained. The parameter a* was the most useful digital feature to establish an acceptable percentage of avocado classification (>80%) in three different maturity stages found. Results obtained by means of IP could be useful to evaluate, at laboratory level, the ripening process of the avocados.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, providing a barrier to the external environment. It is composed of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The most external epidermis is exposed to stress factors that may lead to skin conditions such as photo-aging and skin cancer. Some treatments for skin disease utilize the incorporation of drugs or bioactive compounds into nanocarriers known as liposomes. Liposomes are membranes whose sizes range from nano to micrometers and are composed mostly of phospholipids and cholesterol, forming similar structures to cell membranes. Thus, skin treatments with liposomes have lower toxicity in comparison to traditional treatment routes such as parenteral and oral. Furthermore, addition of edge activators to the liposomes decreases the rigidity of the bilayer structure making it deformable, thereby improving skin permeability. Liposomes are composed of an aqueous core and a lipidic bilayer, which confers their amphiphilic property. Thus, they can carry hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, even simultaneously. Current applications of these nanocarriers are mainly in the cosmetic and pharmaceutic industries. Nevertheless, new research has revealed promising results regarding the effectiveness of liposomes for transporting bioactive compounds through the skin. Liposomes have been well studied; however, additional research is needed on the efficacy of liposomes loaded with bioactive peptides for skin delivery. The objective of this review is to provide an up-to-date description of existing techniques for the development of liposomes and their use as transporters of bioactive compounds in skin conditions such as melanoma and skin inflammation. Furthermore, to gain an understanding of the behavior of liposomes during the process of skin delivery of bioactive compounds into skin cells.

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