RFQ-Scan® - Radio Frequency Quality Scan
Food- & Material Analysis with Sequid TDR-Technologie
The measurement system RFQ-Scan is based on the principle of dielectric spectroscopy. An ultra-wideband impulse is applied to the material under test and the reflection is evaluated using multivariate statistical methods. The patented method allows for the detection and characterization of parameters, which are determined by the dielectric properties (complex permittivity) of the material. The results are displayed in a manner that can be easily interpreted. The bases for the calculation are statistical methods like e.g. principal component analysis and various kinds of regression methods.
Added Water in Foodstuff
A variety of different substances are available for adding water to foodstuff effectively. Apart from the widely used additives such as, for example, phosphates, citrates and carbonates, the usage of protein hydrolyzates is becoming increasingly popular.
Conventional methods for detecting additives are costly and time consuming chemical analyses, which are based on the quantification of special target ions or molecules. However, these methods fail in the case of detecting carbonates, hydrolyzates or unknown additives.
The RFQ-Scan detects added water by means of changed dielectric properties of the material and therefore works independently of the used additive. The final objective result is available within seconds.
Read more about the topics water binding additives & added water.
Quality of frozen Fish
Nowadays the quality of frozen fish (e.g. Alaska Pollock) is assessed by experts performing sensory tests, which may be inaccurate due to subjective influences. Furthermore, operating a laboratory for sensory analysis is costly and the tests are time-consuming and skilled personnel are required.
The RFQ-Scan is based on highly developed technology that allows for an objective assessment of the quality of frozen fish. The figure shows Sequid's scale for frozen sea fish in a quality score with 15 units. The quality spectrum ranges from poor quality double frozen quality up to premium sea-frozen material. The RFQ-Scan is the first instrument to measure the freezing quality objectively.
Read more about the topic quality of frozen fish.
Ham Curing
In cooperation with the Spanish research institute CENTA/IRTA, the feasibility of measuring the water and salt content as well as the water activity with the RFQ-Scan technology was investigated. Commercially available calibrations based on the latest investigations were developed.
Read more about the topic salt content & aW-value.