The analysis of Solid Fat Content (SFC) has traditionally been determined using low resolution (20MHz) NMR spectrometry, which can provide total fat content but not the measurement of the polymorphic triglyceride (TGA) phases: alpha, beta and beta-prime, without which the entire SFC portion of an edible fat might be a poor phase, such as 100% alpha, thus impacting negatively on the successful manufacturer of edible fats such as: such as margarine, shortening, chocolate, cakes, candies, muffins, biscuits.
inXitu's BTX benchtop XRD/XRF analyzer is set to change this. X-Ray Diffraction, widely used to study the polymorphic phase of edible fats since the mid 1960s, has previously been adopted by few production facilities due to complexity and the remote location of often large scale laboratory systems from the production process.
inXitu's BTX, a new class of easy to use, portable XRD/XRF analyzer can be positioned close up to the production process for fast resolution of issues arising when changing process parameters or raw materials. BTX measures three distinct polymorphic TGA phases, alpha, beta and beta-prime.
Based on a simultaneous collection of the X-ray pattern (XRD and XRF), a typical analysis time for identification of the key phases can be made in just 30 seconds. This rapid collection time allows for a snapshot of the polymorphic state of the triglyceride which is frequently in transition; thus rapid collection and analysis is a key factor in successful implementation of this exciting new technology.