Colour measurement of inhomogeneous food samples

Colour measurement of inhomogeneous samples with optical measuring devices from HunterLab

Consumers associate a consistent and appealing product colour with high quality raw materials, freshness and wholesomeness. Therefore, the colour is regularly checked either in the laboratory and/or during production. Snack food, potato chips, nuts, cereals, grains and cereals are among the inhomogeneous, irregular samples that are determined as a whole in a large bowl. Measuring a single nut would require a tiny orifice plate and would not be reliable due to the curvature.

This makes the stationary colorimeter Aeroswith its large measuring surface thanks to the rotating sample plate, is exactly the right choice for inhomogeneous samples in the food sector.
There is currently no comparable measuring device with such a large observation area available on the market. HunterLab’s expertise in the field of colorimetry is based on 70 years of experience and has resulted in the development of the best optical measurement systems for laboratories and production around the world.

Averaging for exact measured values

The Aeros has an automatic height adjustment which ensures the ideal height of the sensor above the sample. For the measurement, the bowl rotates under the sensor while the device performs 35 measurements in 5 seconds and calculates the average value. This covers a surface area of 177 cm² and provides an accurate and repeatable measurement of the colour of the product.

A comparison with intermediate measurements without a measuring flash guarantees that the measurement is insensitive to the ambient light present.

Reproducible sample preparation for reliable colour analysis

Due to the unusually large measuring surface that is scanned, the colour of irregularly shaped food samples can be reproduced very accurately. Handling is straightforward, as a tray is simply filled with the product and placed on the turntable. Just make sure that the bottom of the tray is completely covered by the material. This means that batches of inhomogeneous samples can be measured quickly and easily without having to average several measurements or homogenize the actual sample first.

The extensive QC software also supports quality control. Measured values can be displayed in detail and easily analyzed.

Find out more about the Aeros or contact us directly, we will be happy to advise you!

Other samples that can be analyzed with the Aeros:

The Aeros is not only ideal for inhomogeneous food samples such as cereals and snack food, it can also be used to determine the colour of coffee, plastic pellets, granules and various granular building materials very accurately.

Find out more about the individual measurements and feel free to contact us if you are interested in a live demo via Teams/Zoom etc. Our application engineers will be happy to show you the device.