Method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of fruits having an axis of rotational symmetry

This invention relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a fruit (1) having an axis of rotational symmetry (10). The method comprises the step of positioning the fruit (1) in such a way that its axis of rotational symmetry (10) has an orientation that is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane (20) and the step of radiographing the fruit (1), where the direction of emission of X-rays is substantially perpendicular to said predetermined plane (20) and an X-ray image obtained (41) lies on said predetermined plane (20). The X-ray image obtained (41) is processed to calculate, at corresponding points of the X-ray image (41), respective values of attenuation of the X-ray signal through the fruit (1). The X-ray image (41) is divided into a plurality of sections (415) which are perpendicular to the projection (410) of the axis of rotational symmetry (10) on the predetermined plane (20). Each section (415) is the projection of a corresponding slice of the fruit (1) that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotational symmetry (10). For each section (415), the deviation between a signal attenuation trend obtained from processing the X-ray image and a reference trend, or the deviation between a trend of a local coefficient of average attenuation obtained from processing the X-ray image and a trend with constant value, is examined in order to identify any anomalies, discontinuities or variations which are indicative of respective nonuniformities in the corresponding slice of fruit. This invention also relates to an apparatus (9) for carrying out a non-destructive inspection of a fruit (1) having an axis of rotational symmetry (10), said apparatus being configured for implementing the method according to the invention.