Publications and Research
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
Spring 5-13-2022
Abstract
Conventional Nutrition facts data relays the amounts of different minerals in apples. This information from such analysis may not connect these minerals with their natural biochemical or functional state for health or disease. These minerals may also be part of different particle sizes that affects X-ray transmission, absorption and scatter. The minerals may also redistribute within the tissue over time with or without heat shock. Current Medical Imaging procedures (Xray and MRI) do not localize such minerals. Our work offers a way to increase detection sensitivity of transition metals in various apple varieties non-invasively. This can constitute a step in the detection and localization of these minerals in the natural biological unprocessed tissue. Our experiments also utilize detailed analyses of scatter in X-ray or MR images to correlate literature based porosity to model mineral distribution in apples. These tests were done on a small sample of a few varieties of locally grown apples. Our model of the movement and particle sizes of minerals within tissue needs to be verified in large batches of apples and other fruits before it can be tested on complex biological tissues like the human brain.
Comments
This poster was presented at the 44th Semi-Annual Dr. Janet Liou-Mark Honors & Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, May 14, 2026. Mentors: Prof. Subhendra Sarkar; Zoya Vinokur, and; Lillian Amann (Radiologic Technology).