Application of Image Texture Analysis for Online Determination of Curd Moisture and Whey Solids in a Laboratory-Scale Stirred Cheese Vat

Preliminary evaluation of endogenous milk fluorophores as tracer molecules for curd syneresis

A front-face fluorescence spectroscopy probe was installed in the wall of a laboratory-scale cheese vat. Excitation and emission filters were chosen for the selective detection of vitamin A, tryptophan, and riboflavin fluorescence. The evolution of the fluorescence of each fluorophore during milk coagulation and syneresis was monitored to determine if they had the potential to act as intrinsic tracers of syneresis and also coagulation. The fluorescence profiles for 2 of the fluorophores during coagulation could be divided into 3 sections relating to enzymatic hydrolysis of κ-casein, aggregation of casein micelles, and crosslinking. A parameter relating to coagulation kinetics was derived from the tryptophan and riboflavin profiles but this was not possible for the vitamin A response. The study also indicated that tryptophan and riboflavin may act as tracer molecules for syneresis, but this was not shown for vitamin A. The evolution of tryptophan and riboflavin fluorescence during syneresis followed a first-order reaction and had strong relationships with curd moisture and whey total solids content (r=0.86-0.96). Simple 1- and 2-parameter models were developed to predict curd moisture content, curd yield, and whey total solids using parameters derived from the sensor profiles (standard error of prediction=0.0005-0.394%; R(2)=0.963-0.999). The results of this study highlight the potential of tryptophan and riboflavin to act as intrinsic tracer molecules for noninvasive inline monitoring of milk coagulation and curd syneresis. Further work is required to validate these findings under a wider range of processing conditions.

Recent Methods and Techniques of External Grading Systems for Agricultural Crops Quality Inspection - Review

In recent years, due to increasing necessity and the rise in agricultural production worldwide, an efficient, uncomplicated and precise classification mechanism of agricultural crops is indeed an important endeavor for high quality products. This paper reviews the recent techniques and features of external grading systems for the non-destructive operation and performance of automated quality verification systems for agricultural products. The grading systems utilize highly technical engineering designs and image processing techniques to convey information and grade the products. The most common methods and techniques involved in the grading system’s external inspection stages such as color, size, shape and texture are highlighted.