An Automated Measuring Methodology for Crystal Size in Sweetened Condensed Milk Using Digital Image Processing and Analysis

作者：Schumacher Andrea Bordin; Englert Alexandre Hahn; Susin Jordana Boschetti; Ferreira Marczak Ligia Damasceno; Medeiros Cardozo Nilo Sergio

来源：Food Analytical Methods, 2015, 8(7): 1858-1867.

DOI：10.1007/s12161-014-0054-x

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Lactose crystals
• Image processing and analysis
• Sandiness

Sweetened condensed milk is a widely studied product, including problems related to crystallization of the sugars during its process of industrial production and/or its shelf life. However, no studies on the standardization of techniques for measuring crystal size in sweetened condensed milk are found in the literature. In this work, a methodology for measuring crystal size in sweetened condensed milk samples, based on the use of the ImageJ software for digital processing/analysis of images obtained by optical microscopy, is proposed and tested. In its final format, the proposed methodology essentially requires only the product samples, the preparation of two microscope slides containing around 0.003 g of sample covered by a lightly pressed glass coverslip, and the recording of 12 images for each slide, followed by the automated processing and analysis of these images. It provides representative values for the mean crystal size but underestimated values for the total number of crystals present in the sample.

• 出版日期2015-8