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Ice fraction assessment by near-infrared spectroscopy enhancing automated superchilling process lines

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to analyze and develop some important automation steps in a superchilling process line. In order to control the product quality there is a need for online measurements of ice fraction and distribution in inhomogeneous products. Moreover, automatic handling of such superchilled products is currently commercially unavailable. The current study presents a new method for monitoring and handling superchilled product of varying form and consistency. Observation of the shift in the water absorption peak, measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) transflection mode, was used to determine the ice level in superchilled salmon, scanning approximately 1.5 cm into the fillets. The salmon fillets were stored on ice at 0 degrees C for 5-7 days before superchilling at -24 degrees C to target ice contents of 10%, 15% and 30%. Online NIR measurements of ice fraction showed promising results, with a low prediction error of 2.5%. The storage study confirmed former quality results with a microbiological shelf life of 15-17 days with only minor differences in values for drip loss and water-holding capacity between superchilled and chilled samples. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Digital / Smart Sensors and Microsystems
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet
  • Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research

Year

2010

Published in

Journal of Food Engineering

ISSN

0260-8774

Volume

100

Issue

1

Page(s)

169 - 177

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