Micro-CT scanning of food services, 3D imaging

X-ray micro-CT scanning of food offers non-destructive imaging and structure measurement in 3D. Images and movies showing the internal structure of products can be generated. Measurements of porosity, bubble size distribution and structure thickness (wall size) can be performed.

Characterisation of porous structures

Many foods contain delicate internal structures e.g. small bubbles in aerated chocolate, fine walls inside bakery products. These structures are difficult to analyse using conventional, destructive imaging methods. 3D imaging of food using X-ray micro-CT allows food to be tested for these structures non-destructively, allowing investigations into structure-property relationships and enabling product developers to characterise structure e.g. during NPD trials or product benchmarking.

Example applications:

Aerated chocolate: % porosity, density and bubble size distributions can be measured.

Bread:% porosity, wall thickness and porosity distributions can be measured.

Structural characterisation of materials

Many raw ingredients undergo structural changes as a result of processing. For example, during roasting, coffee beans, expand and crack. These changes can be visualised and measured using X-ray micro-CT

Green coffee bean

Roasted coffee bean

Key services

Chemical analysis

Understanding the chemical make-up of your products is essential.

Physical contaminants

Identification of unwanted physical objects present in a product.

Packaging down the microscope

Microscopy use a range of techniques to examine packaging materials including plastic and metal.

Structure and physical properties

Methods for objective characterisation of food structure and physical properties.

Method development and evaluation

Development of a robust methods for analysis and testing.

Foreign body identification

Identification of unwanted physical objects present in a product.

Foreign body identification scheme

Run independently from our own foreign body laboratory, the FOBS scheme enables other laboratories to check their competence in the identification of foreign bodies.

Cereals and milling services

Cereals and milling testing services information, pricing and submission.

Meat, poultry and seafood analysis

Analysis supporting meat, poultry and seafood suppliers, manufacturers and retailers.

Herbs and spices analysis

Ensure the safety and quality of your herbs and spices.