Measuring the Texture of Added Flavours to Food

Measuring Powdered/Granulated Ingredients
 
Everyone knows the incomparable taste of 
homemade sauces and gravies, painstakingly created from a fond or bouillon, formed by the prolonged simmering of bones, offcuts of meat and vegetables. 
 
Whilst the flavour is unmistakable, their preparation is extremely time-consuming and expensive. The food manufacturer has available a wide range of ingredients that can be used to create sauces and gravies with relative ease and convenience. Bouillon powders or cubes are commonly available.

Texture Analysis in Action: the Adhesive Indexing System and Adhesive Testing

There is a sizeable range of attachments available, each of which is designed to carry out various aspects of adhesive testing.

ADHESIVE INDEXING AND 90° PEEL RIG (A/90PR)
Using this device, a 90 degree peel angle is maintained by the use of a cord and pulley system. A strip of tape is applied to the test bed or other standard surface of interest (according to customer specifications). 

The tape is peeled from the panel at a 90º angle at a specified rate, during which time the force required to effect peel is measured. 

The test is commonly used for quality assurance purposes where the minimum or maximum peel values expected for a particular tape can form an acceptance criterion.

Texture Analysis in Action: Tensile Grips range

TENSILE GRIPS RANGE: A/TG, A/MTG and A/ATG

The gripping action of the A/TG tensile grips is provided by a screw initiated vice clamp operating on knurled jaw faces of 35mm x 35mm. 

They are general purpose knurled jaw face grips suitable for holding samples which have a uniform rectangular shape and a maximum thickness of 25mm. 

The A/MTG Mini Tensile Grips have smaller jaw faces of 25mm x 10mm, with a maximum opening of 8mm. Used for assessment of tensile characteristics of samples such as packaging materials, plastic and aluminium film; and also (in a cycling motion) the flexibility of e.g. chewing gum sticks and confectionery leathers.

Keeping an eye on the quality of Ocular Delivery Products using Texture Analysis

Treatment of some diseases is best achieved by direct administration near the affected area, particularly with diseases involving ophthalmic, optic, dermal, oral cavity, and anorectal tissues.

Ocular drug delivery is an interesting and challenging opportunity for pharmaceutical development. 

The eye is protected by a series of complex defence mechanisms, which usually result in poor bioavailability of drugs administered via the ocular route. These include tear production and the blinking reflex in addition to short residence time and reduced drug permeability. The drug bioavailability can be enhanced either by providing prolonged/sustained delivery to the eye or by facilitating transcorneal penetration. 

Texture Analysis in Action: the Powder Compaction Rig

Powder Compaction Rigs:
Low Tolerance (left); High Tolerance (right)

The Stable Micro Systems POWDER COMPACTION RIG is available in two variants.

The High Tolerance Powder Compaction Rig (A/PCRS) is suited to high force applications where the punch/die clearance is critical; this fixture is auto-aligned using a universal adapter.

The Low Tolerance Powder Compaction Rig (A/PCR) is suited to other powder compaction applications such as assessing granule friability, where the punch/die clearance is less critical.

The use of Texture Analysis in Medical Device Development

Texture Analysis, which has long been used by the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic
industries, is now increasingly being used to evaluate properties of medical devices. 

Texture analysis refers to properties such as firmness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, tackiness, swelling/absorption, in addition to relaxation behaviour, fatigue and brittleness. For many of these tests, standard methods lag behind product development. 

Regulatory agencies including the FDA have used the TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to evaluate medical devices. In addition, the patent literature increasingly relies on texture analysis to validate claims. 

Read on for more examples of the application of texture analysis to the future of medical devices...

Texture Analysis in Action: the Rice Extrusion Rig

The RICE EXTRUSION RIG (HDP/RE) allows the determination of rice kernel resistance to extrusion after cooking according to ISO 11747.  

The standard is the outcome of inter-laboratory testing and was prepared by the ISO/TC34 Technical Committee for Cereals and Pulses.  

The sample is tested after cooking (parboiled or not parboiled) under specified conditions. A small sample is placed in the testing cell of the rig. 

Cosmetic and Skincare Product Texture Measurement and Analysis

The global beauty industry was valued at $465bn in 2014, up 23bn which came in equal proportions from premium and mass brands. 

Skincare and haircare dominated the global market and is where future potential lies, especially in facial moisturisers, anti-agers and face masks.

Before paint was ever splashed onto canvas or cave walls, it was daubed on faces and bodies, not only for symbolic purposes but for decoration too. Today, a plethora of beauty products are seen lined up in the display windows and shelves of shops and stores everywhere.