Random forest–based electrical impedance spectroscopy for precise freshness classification of Holstein beef
摘要
This study evaluates the potential of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) combined with machine learning to achieve accurate, non-destructive assessment of meat freshness. Twenty-four Holstein beef samples were monitored over an eight-day storage period, with physicochemical parameters (color, pH, dry matter, mineral and protein content) and impedance measurements collected across 1–10⁵ Hz. The impedance marker log|Z″| showed a strong correlation with storage duration (R² = 0.83), demonstrating its predictive value for quality degradation. Random forest model without data transformation achieved near-perfect classification of fresh versus stale meat (AUC ≈ 1.0). These findings highlight the promise of integrating EIS with machine learning for real-time, reliable freshness detection and provide a foundation for smart impedimetric sensing technologies in the meat industry.
Graphical Abstract