Fractal Analysis of Apple Flesh Structure: L.Kubík./ Harfa - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), Pp. 83 - 86 83

L.Kubík./ HarFA - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), pp.
83 - 86 83
Fractal Analysis of Apple Flesh Structure
Ľubomír Kubík
Department of Physic, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovak
Republic, Lubomir.Kubik@uniag.sk
1. Introduction
Box-Counting method was used for evaluating of the fractal properties of the apple flesh texture.
The method is often used to determine fractal box dimension of digitised images of fractal structures.
Nežádal et al. (2001) and Buchníček et al. (2000) have implemented Box-Counting procedure in
software called HarFA, which was developed on Institute of Physical and Applied Chemistry,
Technical University of Brno in Czech Republic. HarFA analyses black&white images. Box-Counting
method utilizes the covering fractal pattern with raster of boxes (squares) and than evaluating how
many boxes NBW, NBBW = NB + NBW or NWBW = NW + NBW of the raster are needed to cover fractal
completely, where:
NB - number of black squares,
NW - number of white squares,
NBW - number of black&white squares,
NBBW - number of black&white and black squares,
NWBW - number of black&white and white squares.
Repeating this measurement with different sizes of boxes r = 1/ε will result into logarithmical
function of box size r and number of boxes N(r) needed to completely cover fractal. The slopes of the
linear functions
ln N BW (r ) = ln(K BW ) + DBW ln(r ) , (1)
ln N BBW (r ) = ln (K BBW ) + DBBW ln(r ) , (2)
ln NWBW (r ) = ln(KWBW ) + DWBW ln(r ) , (3)
give DBW, DBBW and DWBW the fractal dimensions. DBW characterises properties of border of fractal
pattern. DBBW characterises fractal pattern on the white background and DWBW characterises fractal
pattern on the black background.
2. Samples and storage properties

Measurement was realized for apples of variety Topaz. Experimental measurements were realized
during of apple storage from 27th October 2003 to 2nd March 2004, i.e. in the start and the finish of the
storage. Thirty values of fractal dimension were evaluated for each sample and variant of fertilization.
Together 240 experimental values of the fractal dimension were realized for all variants. The new
samples of apples were used for each measurement.
The storage was provided in the storage boxes at the temperature from 2°C to 3°C and 90% of the
air moisture content. The measurement was realized for four variants A, B, C, K of the variety Topaz.
3. Experimental measurement
Apple samples were always cut on two half parts and the section of the depth 3-4 mm was cut from
the middle part. Thirty area digital images were obtained from each sample section. The pores and the
grains of the apple flesh represented a fractal object. Box Counting method was used for measurement
of fractal dimension. Fractal dimension characterized influence of storage on the changing of the apple
flesh structure. DBW, DBBW and DWBW fractal dimensions were determined for surfaces of the area
HarFA e-journal http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/lectures/imagesci

84 L.Kubík./ HarFA - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), pp. 83 - 86
samples scanned by video microscope combined with color digital CCD camera GKB CS-8606S with
the array of size 768 × 576 pixels and trinocular microscope MI XSZ 107.
The frame grabber KAPA PLUS that provided the collaboration with PC digitised the images. The
control software IMPOR‘99 was used for a camera to provide a pre-processing of the snapshots. The
software HarFA 4.9.3 was used for digital filtering of images and establishing of fractal dimension.
The digitised samples were adjusted on the size 768 × 576 pixels with the resolution 38 pixels/cm. The
magnification forty times was obtained. The real area of scanned surface was 3,4 × 3,4 mm for each
digital image. The snapshot of the original apple flesh sample of variety Topaz, variant A is
represented in the Figure 1a. The processing of the snapshot by intensity tresholding is shown in the
Figure 1b. The fractal dimension of the flesh structure was evaluated from the equations (1,2,3).
4. Obtained results and discussion

Fractal dimensions DBW, DBBW and DWBW were determined from 27 points equivalent 27 raster used
on the each snapshot of the samples. The values 1.67963, 1.90499, 1.82381 from the equations shown
below represents the experimental values of the fractal dimensions DBW, DBBW and DWBW of the flesh
structure of the variety Topaz, variant A shown in the Figure 1 at the beginning of storage. R is a
correlation coefficient. The values in the brackets are standard deviations of the slope and intercept in
the regression model.
ln NBW = 1.67963ln (r) (± 0.03729) + 11.74606 (± 0.11915); R = 0.98831
ln NBBW = 1.90499ln (r) (± 0.00846) + 12.62747 (± 0.02651); R = 0.99951
ln NWBW = 1.82381ln (r) (± 0.01484) + 12.31104 (± 0.04651); R = 0.99835
The same procedure was realized for all 240 snapshots of the samples and the arithmetical averages
of the fractal dimensions were calculated. Each average was calculated from thirty values. The 720
experimental values of fractal dimensions were used together.
Figure 1 Original snapshot of apple flesh and the processing of the snapshot by HarFA's intensity
tresholding. Variety Topaz, variant A at the beginning of storage (40 times magnification)
The graphical representation of the regression equations for one evaluation of the trinity of the
fractal dimensions of the apple flesh of variety Topaz, variant A at the beginning of storage (from
Figure 1) is shown in the Figure 2. DBW characterized the properties of the border of black and white
colour, i.e. the border of pores and grains of the fractal apple flesh. Its value was the smallest from the
trinity of dimensions. DBBW characterized the properties of the grains of the apple flesh structure. Its
values were the highest from all. It means that the grains mesh the most part of the apple flesh
structure. DWBW characterizes the properties of the pores of the apple flesh and its values were between
DBW and DBBW.

L.Kubík./ HarFA - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), pp. 83 - 86 85
Fractal Analysis
12
11
10
9
ln(N)
8
7
6
5
4
-4 -3 -2 -1 0
ln(r)
Black&White(n) B + B&W W + B&W
Figure 2 Determination of fractal dimensions DBW, DBBW and DWBW by Box Counting method
(software HarFA). Variety Topaz, variant A at the beginning of storage.
The study of influence of long period storage on the fractal dimension and influence of variants of
fertilization in dependency on the time on the fractal dimension was also realized by statistical
methods. Analysis of variance was used after data test of normality (Shapiro-Wilks’W test) and data
test of variance correspondence (F-test). Statistical calculations were realized by software Statistica
ver. 6.0. Analysis of variance of fractal dimension DBBW of variety Topaz for factor variant of
fertilization and time of storages is shown in the Figure 3.
Figure 3 Analysis of variance of fractal dimension DBBW of variety Topaz for factor variant of
fertilization and time of storage. F is F-statistic of the F distribution and p is probability level.
5. Conclusion
The method of fractal analysis of the apples of the variety Topaz was used at the study of the apple
flesh structure which is changing in the period of the long term storage in standard conditions. The
fractal dimensions of the apple flesh express the degradation of apple structure caused by changing of
representation of the pores and grains during the period of storage. The flesh structure transforms
during long term storage in consequence of maturing and the chemical processes, which are passing
inside.
The effect of the variant of fertilization and the time of storage on the fractal dimensions DBW, DBBW
and DWBW was proved by method of analysis of variance. DBBW dimensions, which characterised the
properties of the grains of the apple flesh structure decreased in dependency of time of storage. DWBW

86 L.Kubík./ HarFA - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), pp. 83 - 86
dimensions, which characterises the properties of the pores of the apple flesh structure increased in
dependency of the time of storage.
Acknowledgement
The research was realised in the framework of the Slovak grant Agency in the project Fractal
Properties of Fruits, no. 1/1321/04.
6. Literature
[1] Buchníček, M., Nežádal, M., Zmeškal, O.: Numeric Calculation Of Fractal Dimension, 3rd
Coference on Prediction, Synergetic and more ..., Faculty of Technology Zlin, BUT Brno,
October 2 - 3, 2000, ISBN 80-214-1668-8, p. 10-15.
[2] Lencki, R.W., Riedl K.: Effect of fractal flocculation behaviour on fouling layer resistance
during apple juice micro filtration. Food Research International, 1999, 32 (4): 279-288.
[3] Nežádal, M., Zmeškal, O., Buchníček, M.: The Box-Counting: Critical Study, 4th Conference
on Prediction, Synergetic and more ..., the Faculty of Management, Institute of Information
Technologies, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, October 25 - 26, 2001,
ISBN 80-7318-030-8, p. 18.

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L.Kubík./ HarFA - Harmonic and Fractal Image Analysis (2005), pp.

Fractal Analysis of Apple Flesh Structure

2. Samples and storage properties

HarFA e-journal http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/lectures/imagesci

4. Obtained results and discussion

HarFA e-journal http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/lectures/imagesci

Black&White(n) B + B&W W + B&W

HarFA e-journal http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/lectures/imagesci

HarFA e-journal http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/lectures/imagesci

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