Computer vision techniques in seafood quality control

The application of computer vision based quality control has been slowly but steadily gaining importance mainly due to its speed in achieving results and also greatly due to its non- destnictive nature of testing. Besides, in food applications it also does not contribute to contamination. However, computer vision applications in quality control needs the application of an appropriate software for image analysis. Eventhough computer vision based quality control has several advantages, its application has limitations as to the type of work to be done, particularly so in the food industries. Selective applications, however, can be highly advantageous and very accurate.Computer vision based image analysis could be used in morphometric measurements of fish with the same accuracy as the existing conventional method. The method is non-destructive and non-contaminating thus providing anadvantage in seafood processing.The images could be stored in archives and retrieved at anytime to carry out morphometric studies for biologists.Computer vision and subsequent image analysis could be used in measurements of various food products to assess uniformity of size. One product namely cutlet and product ingredients namely coating materials such as bread crumbs and rava were selected for the study. Computer vision based image analysis was used in the measurements of length, width and area of cutlets. Also the width of coating materials like bread crumbs was measured.Computer imaging and subsequent image analysis can be very effectively used in quality evaluations of product ingredients in food processing. Measurement of width of coating materials could establish uniformity of particles or the lack of it. The application of image analysis in bacteriological work was also done

Private and Co-operative Granite Quarries in Thrissur District - A Comparative Study

The study is confined to non-mechanised private and cooperative granite quarries in Thrissur district. There are 90 non -mechanised quarries in Thrissur district. Data were collected for the period from 1994-'95 to 1999-2000. 315* March of every year was considered as the closing date of the year. It envisages an analysis of various problems connected with quarrying operations, financial analysis, cost analysis, demand and supply position of quarry products and socio-economic background of workers. It also suggest some measures to improve the working conditions of granite quarrying.