(1) In order to accurately judge the new maturity of wheat and better serve the collection, storage, processing and utilization of wheat, it is urgent to explore a fast, convenient and non-destructively technology. (2) Methods: Catalase activity (CAT) is an important index to evaluate the ageing of wheat. In this study, hyperspectral imaging technology (850-1700 nm) combined with a BP neural network (BPNN) and a support vector machine (SVM) were used to establish a quantitative prediction model for the CAT of wheat with the classification of the ageing of wheat based on different storage durations. (3) Results: The results showed that the model of 1ST-SVM based on the full-band spectral data had the best prediction performance (R2 = 0.9689). The SPA extracted eleven characteristic bands as the optimal wavelengths, and the established model of MSC-SPA-SVM showed the best prediction result with R2 = 0.9664. (4) Conclusions: The model of MSC-SPA-SVM was used to visualize the CAT distribution of wheat ageing. In conclusion, hyperspectral imaging technology can be used to determine the CAT content and evaluate wheat ageing, rapidly and non-destructively.
Keywords: ageing; catalase activity; hyperspectral imaging technology; visualization; wavelengths selection; wheat.