One instrument for liquids, concentrates, powders and solids

Bruker’s MPA-D Simply ONE FT-NIR analyzer is configured to test the full range of dairy products including liquids, concentrates, powders and solids (including cheese and cultured dairy products) — all on a single instrument. With this system even high viscosity liquids like condensed milk and ice cream premix can easily be measured, according to the company. The instrument comes pre-calibrated for raw and homogenized milk, whey and a variety of other dairy products.

888-427-8537; www.bruker.com/dairy

In-line near infrared analyzers

Working in tandem with traditional laboratory testing, ProSpect’s TS1-30 in-line near infrared (NIR) analyzers provide the added advantage of predicting protein, moisture, fat, solids and other constituent levels in real-time. Boost yield and product quality by installing in-line NIR analysis at any stage of the production process — from incoming raw material through work in progress, to the finished product for a variety of applications, including butter, cheese milk, yogurt, WPC, MPC and many more. Fully CIP-able and designed to withstand the harsh conditions of any factory environment, its unique single and double in-line analyzers reduce standard deviation by an average of 50%, according to the company.

888-980-1216; www.prospectanalytical.com

Rapid solution moisture and solids analyzer 

CEM Corp.’s new Smart 6 moisture/solids analyzer for dairy products has the ability to directly measure the moisture/solids content of any sample type, from incoming milk to in-process cheese to finished dairy powder. The analyzer offers a rapid solution for all dairy applications. It features iPower technology, coupled with AOAC-approved methods, which provide the accuracy needed in the time required for quick process modifications. Touchscreen capabilities and available IP-65 compliance option also make the system simple to use at-line or off. The system can be paired with a Trac Analysis System for an eight second fat determination or the Sprint Protein Analyzer for a rapid, direct moisture and protein test. 

800-726-3331; www.cem.com

Precise, automated and affordable testing of somatic cell counts

Page & Pedersen’s LactiCyte offers automated, rapid microscopic somatic cell counts for cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk. Covering a wide range (0 - 10,000,000 SCC/mL), test time is less than one minute. Based on a fluorescent microscope technique and magnification approach to cell counting, the results are reported (SCC/ml) and recorded by a charged-coupled device (CCD) camera, with the cost at less than one dollar per test.

508-435-5966; www.pagepedersen.com

Plate microbial tests require no preparation

Charm Sciences’ new Peel Plate microbial tests — Peel Plate AC (aerobic count) and Peel Plate EC (coliform/E. coli) — are simplified culture methods for detecting micro-organisms in environmental monitoring programs and finished product testing in the dairy industry. AOAC-RI granted performance-tested method status to both tests. Advancements include: no preparation needed, just dilute sample/food into the quantifiable range, add sample and incubate; self-wicking; no spreading device needed; simple color indication of bacteria; and 12 months refrigerated shelf life in a resealable foil bag.

800-343-2170; www.charm.com

Butter analysis system for control and optimization

The DA 7300 from Perten Instruments is an in-line NIR diode-array-based analyzer that is accurate, rugged and reliable. It’s designed to meet the rigors of the process environment. The system can be used to tighten butterfat tolerances, thereby optimizing production. The analyzer monitors the entire run – whether a batch or continuous churn. It fully integrates into process systems allowing for automatic or manual control of churns. With this system manufacturers are able to measure butterfat and salt in butter – in-line, continuously, in real-time.

217-585-9440; www.perten.com/dairy

In-house listeria and salmonella detection

A manufacturer can detect low levels of listeria or salmonella on environmental surfaces in 24 hours with Hygiena’s InSite Listeria or InSite Salmonella. The self-contained, easy-to-use swab tests change color when bacteria are present in the sample, eliminating the lengthy wait time. The all-in-one test devices eliminate the need for sample preparation materials, saving material and labor costs. The test’s design does not require any special preparation, measurement, or enrichment outside the test device, simplifying the assay so any level user can successfully run the tests, reducing the possibility of operator error. 

888-494-4362; www.hygiena.com

Sample-ready plates for bacterial testing

3M Food Safety’s Petrifilm plates are time-saving, sample-ready plates uniquely designed to provide fast results, reliability and a reduction in operational costs. With a plate for a wide variety of food and beverage organisms, microbial testing is cost-effective and time-efficient. An automated plate reader organizes the reading, recording and storage of test data, reduces the potential of human error and provides results in seconds. The plates are AOAC-recognized and available for aerobic, E. coli, yeast and mold, coliform, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid, listeria and Staph. Aureus.

800-328-6553; www.3m.com/foodsafety

Spectrophotometer with three detectors

Shimadzu’s UV-3600 Plus UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer is equipped with three detectors — PMT (photomultiplier tube) for ultraviolet and visible regions, and InGaAs and cooled PbS detectors for the near-infrared region — to ensure high sensitivity across the entire measured wavelength range. The instrument’s high-performance double monochromator makes it possible to attain an ultra-low stray light level (0.00005% max at 340 nm) with high resolution. The wide wavelength range of 185 to 3,300 nm enables measurement across the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared regions. The system is ideally suited for such applications as quantitation of food additives and minerals, quantitation of phenol elution in containers and packaging materials, and the examination of the transmission characteristics of paper-based milk cartons.

800-477-1227; www.ssi.shimadzu.com

Software for quality operations management capabilities

Schneider Electric’s Wonderware MES Software/Quality provides quality operations management capabilities for sample data collection in work order execution context for both automated and manual production operations. Statistical Process Control monitoring of sampled data helps improve product quality, minimize variations and improve yields by driving quality closer to targets and within specification limits. Manufacturers can increase operational efficiencies, product quality and yields, quality data accuracy and reduce quality losses. Automation of tasks reduces the cost of quality, regulatory and product safety compliance. The software is designed for the food and beverage/CPG industry.

888-869-0059; www.software.schneider-electric.com

Compressed air microbial test unit

Weber Scientific’s CAMTU compressed air microbial test unit identifies sources of contamination in compressed air. Compressed air is used in a broad range of applications in the food processing industry, such as mixing of ingredients, cutting, drying of product, transporting/propelling product through processing systems and packaging of final product. In many of these applications, compressed air is in direct contact or indirect contact with food product. The impurities in the compressed air may contaminate the food product which can result in change of color and taste, reduced shelf life, exposure to bacteria and other micro-organisms, and even product recalls.

800-328-8378; www.weberscientific.com

Waterproof refractometer

RWC’s waterproof refractometer, Model 300058, is rugged and waterproof and ideal for field use in the food industry, as well as in the lab. Cover the entire 0-95% Brix range with one instrument along with nD (refractive index), temperature, and dextran, fructose, glucose, lactose and maltose scales. It’s housed in a protective rubberized IP67 waterproof case to safeguard the electronics from wet environments and makes for easy clean ups.  A scratchproof sapphire lens ensures continued accuracy over time. The system is able to measure samples as small as 1 milliliter in the field, with laboratory accuracy.

915-852-3375; www.rwctesting.com

Quest Industrial’s Salinity Meter eliminates the need for a start conducting probe

The QSE-303 Salinity Meter from Quest Industrial makes testing pasteurization holding tubes or conducting an HTST easy as well as fast and accurate, reducing retesting time. The Quest Qleen Start Valve eliminates the need for a start conducting probe, providing more accurate, reliable and consistent results. When a technician opens the valve connected to the meter, the valve releases the pressurized salt solution, which starts the test and begins keeping time. The test concludes when the salt solution is detected by the probe at the end of the holding tube.

608-325-5850; www.got-bot.com