Monday, 11 January 2021

Paper and Cardboard Testing with a Texture Analyser – Part 2

Pin adhesion test
Reliable Testing for Packaging and Print 

Pin Adhesion Test
Example standard: TAPPI T821

Another factor that controls the quality of corrugated board is the strength of adhesion between the corrugating medium and its facings. This adhesion can be measured directly using a ‘pin adhesion test’, where pin adhesion is the force to separate the two components. In this test, pins are inserted between the facing and fluted medium, then attached to rigs connected to the loading arm and base. The rigs are pulled apart at constant speed until the facing is separated from the flute tips. Separation of all bond lines is not necessary. This test assesses the quality of the bond formed when the board was combined, and can be used to detect some manufacturing defects such as poor adhesive penetration and spotty adhesive application.

Thursday, 7 January 2021

Paper and Cardboard Testing with a Texture Analyser – Part 1

Corrugated cardboard roll
Reliable Testing for Packaging and Print
 
Corrugated cardboard is used all over the world for strong, cheap and light recyclable packaging.

It is made up of a fluted interior sandwiched between linerboards. Variations include a linerboard on only one face, or several stacked layers. It is generally made into cardboard boxes, although occasionally used in sheet form for strengthening or insulation purposes. Most boxmakers perform a wide range of tests on their products as well as the components used to make them. Many boxes are made to certain customers’ demands, and the aim of these tests is to maximise strength (meeting the customer’s needs) while minimising costs from component materials and weight.
 

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

How Consumers measure Texture – from first sight to swallow

Girl snapping chocolate bar
Food texture plays a significant role in how consumers experience the foods andbeverages that they consume and in their preferences. 
 
Whilst we might think that taste is the key driver, texture is actually our first, and often our lasting, impression of the food we eat and is deeply entangled within other sensory properties. According to Ingredion, texture impacts other sensory modalities, even if consumers aren’t aware of it. The overall taste experience is influenced by texture when food and beverages are consumed.

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Designing the Perfect Texture and keeping track of it

Chocolate tool set
Texture is playing more pronounced roles in product development and creating new and just-right textures can be a new territory for product formulators trying to ensure the best eating experience for consumers. 

We eat with our eyes, nose, tongue, and ears, so in order to gain maximum enjoyment and pleasure from our food, all of the sensory attributes must be in harmony.

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Texture Analysis in Research: Formulating for an ageing population

Woman feeding an elderly man

Scientists from Poznań University of Life Sciences have been evaluating the mechanical and sensory characteristics of selected foodstuffs for senior citizens. 

The population of Poland is one of the fastest ageing communities in Europe. Consequently, it is necessary to adapt the daily diet to these consumers’ requirements. The potential producers of food for senior citizens must allow for elderly people’s possibilities to consume meals (the structural aspect) and their nutritional needs.

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Texture Analysis in Research: Meat & Meat Substitute Products

Cutting cooked meat
Researchers from the Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, Madrid, have been investigating ethyl cellulose and beeswax oleogels as fat replacers in meat products. 
 
The effect of storage over 28 days was evaluated by measuring physiochemical, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of both oleogels before and after storage. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to perform penetration tests. 
 
Ethyl cellulose produced more deformable and cohesive gels with greater time- and temperature- stability than their beeswax counterparts which resulted in rigid and brittle gels. Their oxidative stability, mechanical and rheological properties were very stable during the chilled storage period, suggesting that both organogels could be stored up to 15 days prior to use without significant change in their composition or technological properties. Read more
 

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Exploring food texture as a tool to fight obesity

Crunch. Squish. Snap. Slurp. 

The textures and aromas of our foods trigger reactions in our brains that control how full we feel. 

As scientists continue to learn just how, some are seeking to figure out if food textures also play a role in how much we eat. There might be a reason, beyond taste, to explain why a person is inclined to inhale an entire bag of potato chips, or devour a whole plate of cookies. Even more important, the knowledge could be put to good use.

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Extend your Texture Analysis capabilities and increase your testing efficiency

Would you like to employ a texture analysis system which provides multiple loading of samples and their subsequent testing with 'walk-away' time for the duration of all tests? 
 
If high volume, repetitive testing is causing a bottleneck in your operation, automating to meet critical deadlines can be a business imperative. An investment in automation can be justified for a number of reasons, all of which directly impact your laboratory's contribution to profit.

 The Automated Linear Indexing System (ALIS) enables the loading of multiple test samples prior to testing and does not require constant supervision by the user during testing. It is integrated seamlessly with a TA.XTplus Texture Analyser with quick and easy set-up and sample mounting.