Foods

Superior food

It is rewarding to bake the tastiest bread or sell the most creamy yoghurt. For many centuries, old food traditions and new food innovations are conquering kitchens, bringing new happiness to the existing diet. Most consumers do not know what challenges are addressed to reach efficient manufacturing of foods that are best in class and good for the planet. Often, microstructure plays a key role in superiority of products, when it comes to mouthfeel, appearance, and stability.

Structure-function

Knowing the microstructure of food matrices and making comparisons with other prototypes and standards helps to better understand the underlying cause of differences in sensorial perception or physical behaviour. In addition, microstructure research is a key method to replace animal based texturizing ingredients with vegan alternatives.

Differential Interference Contrast image of starch squeezing out of a potato cell. Lugol stained. Photo by Paul Nijsse, Consistence Microstructure Research Laboratory — Differential Interference Contrast image of starch squeezing out of a potato cell. Lugol stained.

Differential Interference Contrast image of tomato cell in ketchup, with encapsulated lycopene crystals. By Jaap Nijsse, Consistence Microstructure Research Laboratory — Differential Interference Contrast image of tomato cell in ketchup, with encapsulated lycopene crystals.

SEM imaging of dairy powders at low and high magnifications. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — SEM imaging of dairy powders at low and high magnifications.

SEM imaging of Cracotte cracker. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — SEM imaging of Cracotte cracker.

Freeze-fracturing SEM imaging of Mars Ice Cream. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Freeze-fracturing SEM imaging of Mars Ice Cream at low and high magnification.

Cryoplaning SEM image of infection in apple fruit, with high resolution images of fungus with haustoria. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Cryoplaning SEM image of infection in apple fruit, with high resolution images of fungus with haustoria.

Cryoplaning SEM image of low fat margarine. Bewust Light Jumbo. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Cryoplaning SEM image of low fat margarine.

Cryoplaning SEM image of cross section through dressing (slasaus, oil in water emulsion). By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Cryoplaning SEM image of cross section through dressing (slasaus, oil in water emulsion).

Interpretation of cross section through dressing (slasaus, oil in water emulsion) by schematic drawing. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Interpretation of cross section through dressing by schematic drawing.

Schematic interpretation of cross section through vegan burger. Understanding size, shape, and connections of the differen phases is the starting point of a better understanding of product characteristics, such as texture, mouthfeel, stability, and juiciness. Cryoplaning SEM method. By Jaap Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Schematic interpretation of cross section through vegan burger. Understanding size, shape, and connections of the differen phases is the starting point of a better understanding of product characteristics, such as texture, mouthfeel, stability, and juiciness.

Confocal Microscopy analysis of apple sauce, with acridine orange fluorescent dye. Photo by Paul Nijsse, www.Consistence.nl — Confocal Microscopy analysis of apple sauce, with acridine orange fluorescent dye.

Light Microscopy analysis of hotbreak vs coldbreak brussels sprouts puree. Bright Field Contrast, Circular Polarisation Contrast, Differential Interference Contrast (Nomarski contrast). Consistence Microstructure Research Laboratory — Light Microscopy analysis of hotbreak vs coldbreak brussels sprouts puree.

A quick win

We are known to analyse food microstructure to the finest detail, in dry, frozen, wet, and intermediate moisture foods. Both cryo-SEM and confocal microscopy are key methods to quickly build a deep understanding of products and modifications thereof. We are also happy to contribute to the whole R&D process, all the way from idea to finished product, ….and even further.

Drop your question here

To visit our laboratory, send a sample or learn what we can do for you.

Our aim is to provide world class microstructural insights and we are happy to receive feedback. Contact us for more information if this page is relevant for your research. Free use of the images and content of this webpage is permitted with reference to Consistence.