Rapid Food Analyser

Rapid analysis of food and food ingredients can be provided using the new MultiScan series 3000 Food Analyser from Next Instruments. Based on a diode array Near Infrared Transmission spectrometer, the Series 3000 uses a rotating dish to collect scans from a sample of food by passing NIR light through the sample. The transmitted light passes onto a spectrograph where the light is separated into the NIR spectrum from 720-1100nm. The separated light is detected using a silicon diode array detector to generate the absorbance spectrum. Within this region of the NIR spectrum, protein (N-H), water (O-H) and fat (C-H) bonds absorb light energy in proportion to the concentration of each component.

The Series 3000 Food Analyser is best suited for measuring protein, moisture and fat in foods that contain high levels of water and fat, for example, raw meat, processed meats, cheese, cream, cream cheese, yogurt, ice cream, dough and batter, confectionery and fondants. The Series 3000 can also be used for some powders such as milk powder, flour, corn starch, sugar and other opaque powders.  Other components can also be measured using this Series 3000.

The new Series 3000 Food Analyser includes a built in touch screen and PC. Running a program called Analysis, the system’s operation is designed to be simple yet offering the power of a Windows based software package where spectra, trend plots and running tables can be displayed directly on the screen. Data can be stored in the PC and then transferred to other computers using a USB memory device.

The Series 3000 offers a relatively small footprint of 450mm x 300mm and has a front loading sample draw to reduce the bench space required even less. The rotating sample drawer can collect up to 30 scans from a sample with either a 5mm or 10mm pathlength or a 90mm diameter petri dish. NTAS chemometrics software suite is included in the system and calibrations are installed for many common food products.