Texture Analysis in Action: the Powder Flow Analyser

The POWDER FLOW ANALYSER (PFA/PL) is an accurate and reliable method of measuring the flow characteristics of powders.  

It can be rapidly fitted to a Stable Micro Systems plus series Texture Analyser, enabling manufacturers to assess and avoid typical problems such as batch and source variation of ingredients, caking during storage/transportation and problems with discharging from hoppers or bins.

The Powder Flow Analyser is supplied with library tests so operators can start testing quickly and conveniently after straightforward installation and calibration. Users can, however, fully program the instrument to carry out slicing, shearing, compressing, compacting and aerating cycles in any combination.

Pharmaceutical Product Texture Measurement and Analysis

The pharmaceutical industry, once among the most reliable investment areas for any portfolio, has faced increasing instability in recent years.

Both successful and aborted mergers, adverse publicity on pricing issues, cost pressures coming out of Obamacare in the US, the increase in patent expiries and the ongoing challenge of maintaining profitability in the face of ever-growing development costs have seen the industry on the back foot.

Countering this are the encouragements of new vaccines and new breakthroughs in immunotherapy which have been seen in many organisations, and the knowledge that emerging markets will continue to fuel demand.

The global pharmaceutical market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2014 and nearly $1.1 trillion by 2015, according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. The market is likely to increase at an annual growth rate of 3 - 6% over the next five years, slowing at even the best estimate from the 6.2% during the past five.

Texture Analysis in Action: the Bilayer Tablet Shear Rig

BILAYER TABLET SHEAR RIG* (A/BTS)

Bilayer systems typically contain an immediate-release component in one layer and the extended-release component in the other layer.

However, the development and production of quality bilayer tablets is not without issues such as layer separation. The Bilayer Tablet Shear Rig provides the means to assess this problem. 

Measurement of shear force to separate
components of a bilayer tablet

Unexpressed Needs Drive Food Texture Choices

It is well known that there are individual differences between people when it comes to food preference, but the reasons for these differences are largely unknown.

What is known centres primarily on flavour, while understanding and texture research lag behind.

There are several reasons for this. First, texture awareness by individuals is generally low, while flavour awareness is more top of mind. Secondly, people have a limited ability to verbalise texture characteristics.

So with that background, what have researchers missed as it applies to items we consume? What does drive human texture preferences?

Texture Analysis in Action: the Dobrascycyk-Roberts Dough Inflation System

Most dough rheological measurements are performed at rates and conditions very different from those experienced during baking. 

Conventional oscillation shear rheological tests usually operate at small strains of up to 1%, while strain in gas cell expansion during proof can be several hundred percent. Furthermore, most rheological tests are carried out in shear, whereas most large strain deformations in dough (i.e. sheeting, proofing, and baking) are extensional in nature. 

The deformation around an expanding gas cell during proof is biaxial extension – deformation in the cell wall material surrounding an expanding gas bubble. Therefore, any rheological tests on dough that seek to predict baking performance should be carried out under conditions close to baking expansion.

Cereal Product Texture Measurement and Analysis

The need for convenience has been propelling the processed food industry, which includes breakfast cereals. 

Developed nations already have breakfast cereals as part of their regular course of meals, while increasing income in developing countries is giving the industry a new dimension. However, the market in developed economies tends to saturate mainly due to the desire for other traditional breakfasts, as well as some on-the-go alternatives such as cereal bars.

This is partly compensated for with growing breakfast cereals markets in Asia, as well as some Latin American countries. Some markets such as China and India offer high growth potential due to their large population; people in these countries are changing food habits and including breakfast cereals in their regular meals. 

Breakfast cereals are broadly marketed under two segments: RTE (ready-to-eat) cereals and Hot cereals – the market for RTE cereals is much larger when compared to that for Hot breakfast cereals.

Texture Analysis in Action: Leather Testing

One specialist area where texture analysis has had a considerable impact is LEATHER TESTING.

Stable Micro Systems offers a range of test rigs specifically designed to enable accurate and repeatable tests on all types of leather samples. 

Our application designers have worked closely with end user companies and institutions to ensure that the equipment achieves the best possible results.

Frozen Confectionery Texture: Sorbets and Ice Lollies

Sorbet originally hails from the Roman Empire – and can be thought of as a low-calorie version of ice cream.
In the absence of non-fat milk solids, it usually consists of a fruit juice, plus carbohydrates stabilised with a hydrocolloid (e.g. alginate) and emulsified with mono- or diglyceride or polysorbate 80. The carbohydrates can be chosen so as to provide a harder or softer texture as in the case of ice cream, and aeration (overrun) can be obtained as with ice cream.

Sorbet is by definition an aerated frozen dessert, typically with a pH of 2.5 to 4.0 based on water, fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate, sugar, glucose syrup or other sugar types and combinations, functional systems blends, citric acid, flavourings and colourings. Sorbet does not contain fat, but may contain emulsifier and milk solids from whey powder if a creamy type of sorbet is to be produced.