Bruker Optics’ FT-NIR spectrometers are widely used in all areas of the food industry, such as dairy, meat and edible oil manufacturing. The main applications are the identification and quantification of raw materials, in-process control, and the QA/QC of finished products. Bruker Optics offers a range of FT-NIR analyzers for off-line measurements in the laboratory, at-line analysis close to the production or in-line directly in the process.
Next generation FT-NIR spectrometer for quality control
Fast measurements for high sample throughput, simultaneous evaluation of different components and an intuitive handling, without need for expertise training: TANGO simplifies the NIR analysis of food ingredients and products and therefore offers maximum security of the results.
TANGO makes it simple for you: with its intuitive user interface it guides the operators quickly and securely through the work flow. The new automated background measurement also helps untrained staff to operate the spectrometer error-free. TANGO demonstrates how easy FT-NIR analysis can be. The housing and touch-screen monitor are rugged and easy to clean – ideal for lab and at-line environments.
FT-NIR solutions for the dairy industry, including raw milk analysis
Bruker Optics offers, in combination with the well-known MPA FT-NIR spectrometer, a software assisted analysis for milk and liquid dairy products. The Liquid Sampling Module (LSM) is dual use: it pumps and homogenizes raw milk samples, but can also bypass the homogenizer for other liquid sample types. It can handle sample forms from whey to more complex and viscous samples such as concentrates, condensed milk and ice cream premixes. With its automated cleaning options, it is ideal for routine use in the dairy lab.
With the combination of the LSM and MPA, all different sample forms like liquids, pastes or powders can be analyzed with the same instrument. A set of pre-calibrations is available for a quick and efficient start.
Rapid analysis of oils and oilseeds with FT-NIR spectroscopy
Bruker’s MPA FT-NIR spectrometer can analyze a wide number of quality parameters in edible oils and fats with only one measurement. Apart from the fatty acid profile, it is possible to analyze free fatty acid (FFA) content as well as physical parameters like color parameters. The analysis of iodine value by FT-NIR is today acknowledged by the AOCS (method Cd1e-01).
FT-NIR spectroscopy is also a fast and economic method to assess the quality of deep-frying oil with regards to its key parameters describing all aspects of the fat degradation. Increasing amounts of free fatty acids, total polar components and polymerized triacylglycerols, which indicate oil degradation and deterioration of the sensory quality as well as potential health issues, can be analyzed within less than a minute.
Moreover, FT-NIR has a huge potential in analyzing oil seeds and residues for oil and moisture content in order to optimize the pressing parameters. On the other hand, breeders can obtain valuable additional information like fatty acid profiles of their seeds, including Erucic acid as well as the Glucosinolate content for rape seeds or oleic acid content for sunflower seeds.
FT-NIR spectrometers for a wide range of applications
FT-NIR spectrometers from Bruker can cover a wide range of applications in food analysis, including not only dairy, oil and meat applications but also flour and milling, confectionary, condiments and beverages. Dedicated sampling accessories are available for any type of liquid, powdered, semi-solid or solid sample.
Any person in production or in the lab is able to perform an analysis, since there is no sample preparation necessary. Starter calibrations allow a quick and easy implementation of FT-NIR technology. The fast measurement and the simultaneous determination of multiple parameters allow many more samples to be analyzed in a given time, leading to a better quality product at lower cost.
Monitoring food processes online
FT-NIR spectroscopy is not restricted to the laboratory. There is a strong trend to take spectroscopy on the line rather than taking the sample to the lab. Not only quality and safety issues, but also economic considerations motivate producers to develop methods for real-time process analysis. Online measurements are suitable for solid and liquid samples alike. There are different contact and non-contact sensors available which can be implemented into pipes, bypasses and even over conveyor belts. Up to six sensors can be multiplexed by a single MATRIX-F FT-NIR spectrometer.
One example is the monitoring of the milk powder process. The key points in the spray drying process can be monitored by installing sensors e.g. in the storage tanks, the inline feed of the spray dryer as well as at the powder outlet of the fluid bed dryer.