The Hindu Business Line : New electronic system soon to measure tea aroma, colour

An electronic nose and vision (ENV) system that is capable of measuring the aroma, colour, appearance and other quality parameters of both finished and “in-process” tea is likely to be commercially launched in a year.

Alpha version

“Currently, the alpha version of the ENV system is being tested in a few tea companies in South India, while a firm in Kenya is also trying it out. They are giving us their feedback on the system. A beta version based on these feedbacks will be brought out by us in six months,” said Mr Nabarun Bhattarcharya of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Kolkata.

CDAC has brought out the alpha version of the ENV system, which is said to be an instrument that can detect and discriminate the complex odours in tea using an array of sensors. Once the electronic nose and vision system is launched, it will help tea companies to improve the processing of the beverage.

Over the last 100 years or so, tea companies have been controlling the quality parameters of tea manually.

How it works

The vision of the system analyses the tea that is produced in an unit, uses a suitable colour matching algorithm backed by software and standard colour images. It also gives details of fermentation during the production process that is key to ensure quality of the produce.

The nose, on the other hand, can be used to detect any volatile emission pattern in a production process. Moreover, based on the aroma and flavour of the finished tea, the e-nose components can be made to sample the tea and give scores like a tea-taster.

“A manual system cannot ensure uniform production of quality tea. In a quality-conscious market environment, we have to see that tea produced by the companies is uniform in all quality aspects and graded properly. Therefore, we need to look at some automation system and in this regard, ENV helps,” said plantation industry sources.

Drawbacks

A paper was presented at the recent annual conference of the United Planters’ Association of Southern India where the advantages and drawbacks of the system were discussed threadbare.

One thing that has come out clear in testing out the alpha system is that there are a few lacunae in the system and CDAC is seriously looking into setting right the drawbacks before launching the beta version.

The system, for example, seems to be facing hurdle in gradation of orthodox teas and according to Upasi scientists, it needs extensive modification.

“Even tea tasting options required extensive data input into the system,” said Mr Bhattacharya.

The system works based on data of various quality parameters that are fed into its software. “Our software is not tuned to orthodox teas. That’s why we have these shortcomings,” Mr Bhattacharya said.

Upasi scientists say despite the drawback, the system would help in objective assessment of tea quality even as it is in the process of production in a factor.

Currently, CDAC has given the system to these few tea companies charging them only for the system with a computer.

According to plantation sources, these companies have paid between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh for the system.

“We have not charged them anything for our software,” said Mr Bhattacharya.

When the system is finally charged, it could cost more with the software cost expected to be significant.

As of now, CDAC has not looked beyond launching the beta version and getting the system for commercial launch.

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