Texture Analyser

Texture is an important attribute of products in that it affects processing and handling, influences habits, and affects shelf-life and consumer acceptance.

Texture analysis is the mechanical testing of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, adhesives and other consumer products in order to measure their physical properties. Because of its adaptability, texture analysis has become commonplace in many industries to measure a specific or range of characteristics or properties relating to the way a material behaves, breaks, flows, sticks, bends etc.

Major manufacturers routinely apply texture analysis techniques both in new product development and as part of quality control in all stages of manufacture, carrying out a wide range of measurements to analyse raw materials or excipients, semi-finished goods, packaging and finished products.

It is a cost-effective method to determine the effects of raw material or excipient quality or the adjustment of formulation or processing variables on end product acceptability – whether this is to measure the ‘mouth feel’ properties of food, the flow properties of creams and pastes, the break or bend of a product or the tackiness of adhesives.

Where problematic textural issues occur during storage or transportation, texture analysis can provide a useful assessment. It may also prove to be an effective means of comparison with competitive products, or where claims substantiation is necessary to take a technical pro-active stance in your market. It will certainly provide an indispensable tool when you need to quantify the texture or overall physical properties of your ‘gold standard’ product for future comparison in manufacture – the key to maintaining consistent textural quality!

Stable Micro Systems offers the most universal Texture Analysers available today – the TA.XTplus and TA.HDplus ‘World Standard’ instruments – to completely satisfy the increasing demands for accurate, repeatable and quantifiable textural information.

They assess textural properties by capturing force, distance and time data at high speed – data which is then displayed graphically by Exponent software.

Our range of Texture Analysers use different probes and fixtures according to the required test method. Each probe or fixture is designed for a specific group of applications, and can be quickly and easily attached. Samples are either placed on the base of the instrument or on the lower fixture, or held between two fixtures. In a simple test, the arm of the texture analyser containing the loadcell moves down to penetrate or compress the product, and then returns to its initial position whilst measuring forces in both directions.

To find out more visit:

Stable Micro Systems - Texture Analysis

Food Tech Solutions are the NZ Distributors for Stable Micro Systems.

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