Product category:
Food Processing News
News Release from: Wilks Enterprise | Subject: InfraSpec VFA-IR
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 October 2006
Trans-fatty acid measurement in foods
From January 2006, nutritional labels on foods were required to include the trans-fatty acid content: Wilks has developed a unique portable, rugged, easy to use spectrometer for at line measurement
From January 2006, nutritional labels on foods were required to include the trans-fatty acid content Although trans-fatty acid occurs naturally in many fats, hydrogenated oils can contain three times more trans fat, which means as much as 35%
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 9 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
On-site percent measurement of Ethanol in Gasoline
Two portable, easy-to-use mid-IR analysers for use by producers, distributors, fleet managers, or regulators to measure the percent ethanol in gasoline and/or water in ethanol or methanol are launched
New variable filter array IR spectrometer
Wilks Enterprise will introduce a new InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer with a 128 pixel detector array that provides expanded capabilities and better performance at PITTCON 08
As a result, the vegetable oil industry is developing new processing procedures to minimise the formation of trans-fats.
The official analysis methods from the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) are either infrared absorption spectroscopy or gas chromatography.
Unlike gas chromatographic methods for trans fat analysis in fats, infrared analysis does not require any sample preparation.
A small amount sample is placed on the ATR crystal and the intensity of the absorption is measured at 966 cm-1.
This band is unique to unsaturated fatty acids.
The saturated and cis unsaturated fatty acids do not absorb infrared energy at this wavenumber.
Wilks Enterprise has developed a unique portable, rugged, easy to use and relatively inexpensive infrared spectrometer, the InfraSpec VFA-IR, that brings the trans-fatty acid measurement out of the laboratory to where it is needed - in the production area, on a loading dock or in a warehouse.
Using the InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer for at-line measurements enables process changes such as lowering the temperature during hydrogenation or catalyst recycling to be quickly tested for their effectiveness in lowering trans fat levels.
The InfraSpec Spectrometer is easy for the operator in the production area to use since a numerical value in % trans fat is displayed.
The InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer is a new concept in infrared instrumentation.
It utilises a patented design consisting of an ATR sample plate with an elongated, electronically modulated source on one end and a linear variable filter (LVF) and linear variable array on the other.
The result is a compact spectrometer with no moving parts, no optical path exposed to air that is portable and rugged.
The software includes an internal calibration programme that allows for simplified screen interface that give a digital readout in % trans fat for non technical end users.
For further information on the use of the InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer for measuring trans fatty acid content, please contact Wilks Enterprise. Request a free brochure from Wilks Enterprise ...
• Wilks Enterprise: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
