"Thirst quencher," "rapid bulk gain," "performance recovery formula," "weight reduction," or "muscle repair" are all powdered drink alternatives in the realm of sports nutrition. Formulations designed to be scooped out of a big container have varied compositions that affect powder behaviour during travel and storage. Fat content, particle size, and humidity can affect powder behaviour during processing and also the physical characteristics during use. The same is true for infant formulae.
Measuring powder flowability
Powder flow analysis is useful in numerous industries, including food. Objective, repeatable testing and grading of dry powder samples can provide significant opportunities and benefits. These include batch and source selection for cost and quality; the development of best mix formulations; scaling up and process condition optimisation; and maintaining product quality control.
The Stable Micro Systems Powder Flow Analyser rapidly derives an objective value for the sample that characterises and ranks its performance when subjected to a specific test programme. Rotating Stable Micro Systems’ precision machined blade down and up through the sample achieves Controlled Flow. This innovative test method enables a wide range of sample flow modes to be achieved as the enhanced blade form provides optimum repeatability and sensitivity in controlling flow, from extremely gentle lifting through to aggressive compaction. See how a Powder Flow Analyser works
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| Powder Flow Analyser on the TA.HDplusC Texture Analyser |
Samples’ characteristics are measured, ranked and compared under different test modes. Controlled Flow offers you the ability to test in a manner that is complimentary to a process or need. Exponent software can control the action of the test to be performed and subsequently analyse the data to determine, for example: Particle cohesion and flow after compaction, Resistance to compression, from a range of standard tests such as Powder Flow Speed Dependence, Cohesion and Caking.
The application of other practical powder rheology tests using the Texture Analyser will also be a valuable tool. Such additional methods include powder compaction rigs, consolidation, unconfined yield stress and Vertical Powder shear stress measurements.
View this range of powder testing methods
Want to know more? Request an article about Powder Flow Analysis and other powder methods
New developments of upcycled ingredients for infant and sports nutrition
A recent article we found focuses on a new hot topic: Upcycling ingredients: Curbing waste and loss while innovating with taste and texture.
Upcycling ingredients aids in the development of a circular economy. Whilst they originally provided a solution for the animal feed market, Arla Foods is one manufacturer that has been reutilising nutrients from a variety of dairy-based sources, making them available to infant formula manufacturers around the world.
“Having developed the know-how and technology to enable us to use the same flows to produce high-quality, food-grade whey protein, casein, and lactose, we focus on maximising value from every dairy stream. By doing this, we have been able to tap into consumer demand for high protein in categories such as sports nutrition.” Enabling the development of specialised nutrient-specific foods opens up new opportunities in infant formula and sports while catering to other vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with medical nutrition needs.
However, with the development of new products comes the need for control and measurement of physical properties – where the Texture Analyser (with or without an attached Powder Flow Analyser) can be employed.
Measuring the texture of other sports nutrition products
Quantifiable texture analysis of new sports nutrition products is a developing field of quality assurance. Employing such a measure across food and drink goods and packaging can give businesses piece of mind that their products consistently meet consumer expectations and are consistently functional, practical and appealing. Changeable raw ingredients and handling sensitivity mean batch-to-batch differences in energy bar firmness, supplement capsule rupture, and energy gel packing. These difficulties must be controlled and measured properly with the consumer in mind, so only high-quality products end up on supermarket shelves.
To read more, request your PDF copy of our article Texture Analysis in Sports Nutrition.
There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.
For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.
The TA.XTplusC texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.
No-one understands texture analysis like we do!
Get in touch to discuss your specific test requirements
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