A smart multiplexed microRNA biosensor based on FRET for the prediction of mechanical damage and storage period of strawberry fruits.

Summary: Strawberries bruise easily and spoil quickly, but it’s often hard to tell just by looking at them. Scientists know that specific genetic markers inside the fruit, called microRNAs, change levels when the fruit is damaged or gets old. However, current tests to check these markers are too slow and expensive for widespread use.

In this study, researchers created a "smart sensor" using a technology called FRET. This sensor uses glowing dyes that light up in different colors to detect three specific microRNAs at the same time. By feeding this light data into an artificial intelligence program, the system learned to accurately predict exactly how much a strawberry had been squashed and how long it had been stored. This technology could help farmers and grocers keep fruit fresh longer and reduce waste.