This research group works with measuring methods to determine quality parameters during processing in a non-destructive, environment friendly and rapid way.
Increased demands for determination and control of the content and qualities of different products have made this research more important than ever. The goal is to find in-line measuring methods that make it possible to control the processes continuously. The research performed by the group makes valuable contributions to understand how processing and measuring equipment works, and how modern spectrophotometric measuring methods like NIR, acoustic spectroscopy, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy can be used to monitor and adjust production processes. In addition, chemometric methods are important in analysing the large amount of data produced in such measuring devices.
Academic strength combined with relevant background from industry make the basis for active research and motivating and inspiring teaching. The group members are responsible for several bachelor, master and Ph.D. courses in food technology, data analysis, engineering topics, product development and measurement methods (MVI 261, 262, 280/281, 330, 361, 385, 470 and 480).
The group is central regarding the performance of the equipment in the pilot plant and works closely with the pilot plant group in many projects.
Professor Isaksson’s work has been acknowledged with several awards; the last one in 2004 (Gerard S. Births award) for his work with near infrared diffuse reflection spectra. He is also a member of the editorial board of several journals concerning spectroscopy.
Research projects
The research focus of the group is measurement methods and data analysis (chemometrics) connected to measurement data. The data originates mostly from biological and food products and processes, such as milk, cheese, pork, salmon and model systems. The research activity includes several projects, including use of:
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR): NIR is an absorbance vibrational spectroscopy method in the wavelength range from 780 to 2500 nm. NIR is a general measurement method for biologic materials, for fast determination of most organic molecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, moisture etc.).
Raman spectroscopy: This method excitates the vibrations in organic molecules (lipids, proteins etc.) by using a 785 nm laser. The spectra are recorded by detecting the Raman-scattered light from 200 to 3400 cm-1.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR): FTIR is also a vibrational spectroscopy method measuring absorbance at 500 - 4000 cm-1. FTIR detects all organic molecules.
Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV): UV spectroscopy (200 – 350 nm) measures the excitation of electrons in double bounded molecules. Typical use in biological science is detection of aromatic molecules e.g. amino- and nucleic acids.
Fluorescence spectroscopy: This method excitates conjugated double bounds by UV light, energy due to relaxation gives light in the visual spectral region. This instrument is located at MATFORSK.
Acoustic spectroscopy: A so-called clamp-on sensor (accelerometer) for sound and vibration registration is mounted on the pipe wall to monitor different processes. The information embedded in the signal is extracted by Fourier transform and multivariate data analysis. Quality properties of liquid foods are studied.
Single electrode Capacitance Probes (SeCaP): The development of the SeCaP technology (of Sentech AS) has been done in collaboration with personnel in the measurement group. SeCaP is a capacitive measurement technique utilizing only one electrode. The system does not short circuit in conducting systems, and can therefore be used to measure water concentrations from zero to 100% in both phase profiler applications and in single point applications.
Rheology: Actual process viscosities are measured with a Rheotec PV100 rheoemeter. Rheological characterization of fluids is performed with a Physica UDS 200 that can be used in both rotation and oscillation.
Datamining/Chemometrics.: Multivariate data analysis and image analysis techniques are applied to the complex biological data generated from the various technologies described above. In addition there is also a focus on data generated by DNA-microarray technology. Associate professor Ulf Indahl and co-workers cooperates closely also with other research groups to develop and make available data analysis tools that can be used to unravel the essence of complex raw data produced by modern measurement methods in biology
