Quantification of microporosity in fruit by MRI at various magnetic fields: Comparison with X-ray microtomography

M. Musse (1) , F. de Guio (1) , S. Quellec (1) , M. Cambert (1) , S. Challois (1) , A. Davenel (1)

1 UR TERE - Technologie des équipements agroalimentaires

Microstructure determines the mechanical and transport properties of fruit tissues. One important characteristic of the microstructure is the relative volume fraction of gas-filled intercellular spaces, i. e. the tissue microporosity. Quantification of this microporosity is fundamental for investigating the relationship between gas transfer and various disorders in fruit. We present a new method for quantifying the apparent microporosity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The method is based on the differences in magnetic susceptibility between gas-filled intercellular spaces and their environment inside fruit tissues. This was tested at two different magnetic fields (1.5 T and 0.2 T) on apple and tomato fruit. The method was validated by comparing the MRI results with estimation of local tissue porosity using X-ray microtomography experiments. MRI was shown to be effective in determining the distribution of apparent microporosity in fruit.

Mots clés: IRM; MICROPOROSITE; RAYON X; SUSCEPTIBILITE MAGNETIQUE; PLANTE

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

M. Musse, F. de Guio, S. Quellec, M. Cambert, S. Challois, et al.. Quantification of microporosity in fruit by MRI at various magnetic fields: Comparison with X-ray microtomography. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2010, 28 (10), p. 1525 - p. 1534. ⟨10.1016/j.mri.2010.06.028⟩. ⟨hal-00788585⟩