FlavourSpec - Sensitive Analyser for Food, Flavour and Beverage Testing
The FlavourSpec® comprises advantages of a Gas Chromatograph (GC) with regard to selectivity and outstanding sensitivity of an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) enabling the analysis of volatiles in the headspace of liquids and solid samples without any sample pre-treatment. The FlavourSpec operates isotherm in a range of 40-80°C and can be set to >100°C for baking out (cleaning). To better separate compounds the instrument uses a firmware steered ramping by its integrated Electronic Pneumatic Controller.
Besides the instrument itself the FlavourSpec® consists of an automatic headspace injector that does all sample conditioning. The operator just enters the measurement parameters (number of samples, conditioning and run time) via the very easy to operate menu on the sampler.
The FlavourSpec provides an automatic data acquisition on the device and when connected to a PC 3-D data visualization and analysis by G.A.S. Laboratory Analytical Viewer (LAV) software. Besides the possibility of quantifying single marker compounds additional software plug-ins allow to easily detect the appearance of new compounds or the differences of their concentrations to a reference sample to further match peak pattern with sensory wise defined flavours. The result classifies differences from a selected reference (golden standard) to quickly characterize e.g. the quality of a sample. This concept follows the approach of the so-called electronic nose, but using a specific and reliable physical separation/detection of the volatile compounds by GC plus IMS instead.
Further to that the GCxIMS Library Search software tool is based on the NIST retention (Kovats) indices which consists of more than 80,000 compounds and which can further be extended by the IMS drift times to achieve maximum certainty for unknown compounds in samples.
Being particularly developed for the quality testing the FlavourSpec is characterized by hands-on functionalities and outstanding user friendliness that due to its outstanding sensitivity (low ppb/µg/L-range) does not require any sample pre-treatment. By that laborious and time consuming stripping using solvents can be avoided and most important samples can be analyzed at detection level of the human nose “as they are” without changing their characteristics.
All these characteristics together make the FlavourSpec a unique and innovative trend setting analytical tool with proven applications in several analytical fields at most renowned market leading global players of the food & beverage industry (e.g. control of raw material quality and storage conditions, flavour stability and off-flavour detection, process control, product quality test and authentication etc).If you are interested to received in viewing the operation video, please refer to the download area below.
Matrix Impact on Flavour Development
Understand how a change in formulation of food or beverage affects the product`s flavour.
Beer brewing: Analysis and Quality Control
The quantification of diacetyl and pentanedione (vicinal di-ketones) to determine the end of the brewing process is the key criteria in the global beer industry.
Deterioration of fried Products and frying Oil
Crisps and frying oils - when exposed to light and/or temperature- oxidize with time, producing a wide series of aldehydes, ketones and acids so that they loose their flavour or become rancid.
Comprehensive Testing of green Tea
Quality control, authentication, habitat, grade and shelf life of green tea are not only due to their significant economic aspect but also with respect to natural stimulants and quality of life of high relevance.
Differentiation and Authentication of Rice
The quality control of rice as the most widely consumed staple food providing a fifth of the world’s calories on a daily basis has an outstanding importance regarding human health and nourishment.
Tobacco and cigarettes
Tobacco and cigarettes belong to the world`s most important luxury foodstuffs/stimulants with a global turnover in the high hundreds of billions USD. A sophisticated quality control regarding several aspects is a MUST.
Analysis of Olive Oil
High quality native olive oils is a pure and healthy natural product that stands out due to a complex and rich flavour. There is a mayor interest of all parties involved throughout the entire supply chain assure a best quality and pay an adequate price for it.
Milk and Diary Products
Milk and diary products belong to world`s most nutritious and commonly consumed foodstuff. Their variety in composition, ingredients and taste seems endless. Product same as flavour quality control are crucial criteria concerning customer satisfaction.