SQU researcher wins award for work on banana quality
Published: 06:03 PM,Mar 18,2025 | EDITED : 10:03 PM,Mar 18,2025
Dr Mai Khalfan al Dairi
Muscat: In a significant achievement that highlights the growing role of Omani women scientific research, Dr Mai Khalfan al Dairi, a research assistant at Sultan Qaboos University, has won the 11th National Research Award in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Her pioneering project, titled 'Banana Fruit Bruise Detection Using Fractal Dimension-Based Image Processing', not only brought her national recognition, but also spotlighted the invaluable contribution of Omani women in advancing science and technology.
Dr Al Dairi’s research aims to improve the quality control of bananas, a fruit that is highly susceptible to bruising during transport and storage. By leveraging advanced image processing techniques, Dr Al Dairi’s project helps farmers, traders and consumers alike by providing a more accurate and efficient method for assessing the quality of bananas and mitigating the economic losses caused by bruising.
Dr Al Dairi and her research team conducted a series of simulated drop impact tests to evaluate the severity of bruising and the factors that contribute to its intensity. They used a sophisticated image processing technique to assess bruises, along with other parameters like colour changes. This analysis allowed them to determine the exact extent of damage and to explore how various conditions, such as drop height and storage temperature, affected the quality of the bananas.
The findings revealed that bananas stored at improper temperatures suffered from exacerbated bruising, which resulted in weight loss, reduced firmness, and significant changes in sugar and acidity. Such changes ultimately made the fruit less appealing to consumers. The research underscores the importance of maintaining optimal storage conditions to preserve the visual and nutritional qualities of bananas, which is essential for the long-term success of the agricultural industry.
Dr Al Dairi’s research has direct implications for the agricultural sector, particularly for banana farmers and traders in Oman and beyond. By accurately detecting bruising and assessing its severity, her project provides valuable insights into how to minimise post-harvest losses and enhance the quality of the fruit before it reaches consumers.
The study’s findings are significant, not just from a scientific perspective, but also from an economic standpoint. Bananas are an important commodity in Oman, and quality control plays a critical role in determining the fruit’s market value. By improving the detection and assessment of bruises, farmers and traders can better understand the condition of the fruit and take appropriate steps to preserve its quality during storage and transportation.
She hopes that her work will motivate other women to pursue careers in STEM fields and to engage in research that addresses local and global challenges. “Winning the National Research Award has been a profound recognition of my dedication to addressing one of the real-world challenges through research,” Dr Al Dairi said. “This award symbolises not only personal achievement but also the impact of our work on advancing knowledge and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.”
Dr Al Dairi’s research aims to improve the quality control of bananas, a fruit that is highly susceptible to bruising during transport and storage. By leveraging advanced image processing techniques, Dr Al Dairi’s project helps farmers, traders and consumers alike by providing a more accurate and efficient method for assessing the quality of bananas and mitigating the economic losses caused by bruising.
Dr Al Dairi and her research team conducted a series of simulated drop impact tests to evaluate the severity of bruising and the factors that contribute to its intensity. They used a sophisticated image processing technique to assess bruises, along with other parameters like colour changes. This analysis allowed them to determine the exact extent of damage and to explore how various conditions, such as drop height and storage temperature, affected the quality of the bananas.
The findings revealed that bananas stored at improper temperatures suffered from exacerbated bruising, which resulted in weight loss, reduced firmness, and significant changes in sugar and acidity. Such changes ultimately made the fruit less appealing to consumers. The research underscores the importance of maintaining optimal storage conditions to preserve the visual and nutritional qualities of bananas, which is essential for the long-term success of the agricultural industry.
Dr Al Dairi’s research has direct implications for the agricultural sector, particularly for banana farmers and traders in Oman and beyond. By accurately detecting bruising and assessing its severity, her project provides valuable insights into how to minimise post-harvest losses and enhance the quality of the fruit before it reaches consumers.
The study’s findings are significant, not just from a scientific perspective, but also from an economic standpoint. Bananas are an important commodity in Oman, and quality control plays a critical role in determining the fruit’s market value. By improving the detection and assessment of bruises, farmers and traders can better understand the condition of the fruit and take appropriate steps to preserve its quality during storage and transportation.
She hopes that her work will motivate other women to pursue careers in STEM fields and to engage in research that addresses local and global challenges. “Winning the National Research Award has been a profound recognition of my dedication to addressing one of the real-world challenges through research,” Dr Al Dairi said. “This award symbolises not only personal achievement but also the impact of our work on advancing knowledge and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.”