Using a
custom-built ultrasound device, the technique was applied to navel oranges to relate ultrasonic measurements
with physical measurements taken via destructive methods. For a sample of randomly selected
navel oranges, a high level of correlation was found between ultrasonic measurements and the density
of the fruit, allowing the relative water content of oranges to be non-destructively determined regardless
of individual physical characteristics such as size and maturity. When applied to a sample of navel
oranges over a period of nine days, the ultrasonic measurements were found to be highly correlated to
the firmness of the oranges, providing a non-destructive method to replace traditional destructive methods
currently used to monitor orange maturation.