Test Essential Oils for FFA and PV
The CDR FoodLab measures free fatty acids and peroxide value
Test FFA and PV in essential oils
Evaluate oxidative degradation and chemical stability
Quick, accurate, no calibration or maintenance required
Validated alternative to reference or titration methods
Essential Oils
The CDR FoodLab allows simple, accurate tests to be carried out on essential oils for evaluating oxidative degradation and chemical stability by measuring the the key parameters Free Fatty Acid (FFA) and Peroxide Value (PV). The analyser represents an improvement over the standard titration methods being fasetr, less hazourdous and using significantly less sample volumes. The FoodLab test results show excellent correlation with the reference methods.
- Faster test results
- No solvent waste disposal costs
- No external lab fees
Parameters – Free Fatty Acids (FFA), Peroxide Value (PV)
Oils and Fats Tests
Acidity
The acid content of edible fats is given by the quantity of free fatty acids deriving from the hydrolytic rancidity of triglycerides. As this alteration occurs in unsuitable conditions for the processing and preservation of fats, acidity represents a basic indicator of the genuineness of the product. The test is particularly important for products containing a certain amount of fats, like flours.
Peroxides
The amount of peroxides of oils indicate the degree of primary oxidation and therefore its likeliness of becoming rancid. A lower number of peroxides indicates a good quality of oil and a good preservation status. Unsaturated free fatty acids react with oxygen and form peroxides, which determine a series of chain reactions that generate the production of smelling volatile substances. Those reactions are accelerated by high temperature and by light and oxygen exposure.
Try Before You Buy
The FoodLab is available for a demonstration or a short term trial.
Request Information
Free Fatty Acids Test – Oils and Fats
Peroxide Value Test – Oils and Fats
“Running costs are comparable to conventional methods, especially when the costs of solvent waste disposal are taken into account. In comparison to the costs of using external laboratories, payback time is expected to be short. The instrument is straightforward to use and offers a good range of analyses suitable to our needs. The instant availability of results means decisions on approval of batches can be made immediately, compared with the wait when external laboratories were used.”
Norman Harris, Northstar Lipids
How It Works
Free Fatty Acids
Free fatty acids (FFAs) are created when a fatty acid chain is cleaved from its parent fat molecule. The level of FFAs is dependent on temperature, moisture content and time. They also will vary depending on how the fat/oil is stored, processed or heated. When fatty acids cleave from their parent molecule and become an FFA, they are much less stable and more prone to oxidation and to turning rancid. Therefore, testing for free fatty acids is beneficial to monitor the health of your frying oil and final product, since foods will absorb the FFAs causing excessively oily and discolored food with poor taste and probably a shorter shelf life.
How The FoodLab Measures Free Fatty Acids
Free fatty acids of a sample, at pH <7.0, react with a chromogenous compound and decrease in colour. The decrease of colour, read at 630nm, is proportional to the acid concentration of the sample, expressed as % of oleic acid.
Peroxide Value
Peroxides are a result of primary oxidation in oil and are defined as the amount of peroxide oxygen per 1 kg of fat/oil. Peroxides are very unstable and can easily become rancid and develop into aldehydes. With that being said, peroxides are a key indicator of shorter shelf life, rancid odours and poor flavour. The free fatty acids that are absorbed by the food during the frying process oxidize into peroxides and shorten shelf life.
How the FoodLab Measures Peroxide Value
R-O-O-R peroxides oxidize Fe2+ ions. The Fe3+ ions resulting from oxidation are grouped and form a red complex. Its colorimetric intensity, measured at 505nm, is directly proportional to the concentration of peroxides in the sample. Results are expressed as meqO2/Kg.
Multitiple Sample Analysis
Multitiple Parameter Analysis
Features
Innovative Technology
The use of innovative photometric technology means the reading cell guarantees high sensitivity, a very wide measuring range and excellent repeatability of the analysis results thanks to innovative LED light sources with fixed wavelengths (ultraviolet – visible spectrum, power up to 6 O.D.).
Online Help
The system is easy and intuitive, everyone can use it. Analyses are carried out in just a few steps. In addition, it has a help function that guides you step by step through the test procedures.
Multitasking Mode
The multitasking mode reduces analysis time by making it possible to perform several analyses of the same sample simultaneously, or different determinations of the same parameter on a batch of different samples. During an analysis session you can start another one and put the first one in the background. You can return to background analysis with one click.
Internal Memory
The analyser is equipped with an internal memory capable of storing thousands of analysis results that can be viewed on the display or exported via the USB or Ethernet port.
Barcode/QR Code Reader
The analyser connects with barcode or QR code readers. The sample code is automatically displayed on the analyser. It is possible to associate all the analyses performed on that sample.
PC/Intranet Connection
You can share analysis results by connecting the analyser to your intranet via the Ethernet port or export them by connecting the analyser via the USB port to a host computer.
Maintenance/Service Free
No calibration is necessary because the instrument is supplied pre-calibrated. The analysers use LED light sources and therefore no periodic maintenance is required.
Download Literature
Northstar Lipids: Specialist Natural Oils
Essential Oils: Composition, Applications and Analytical Considerations
Northstar Lipids switched from contract labs to in-house testing with the FoodLab, eliminating lab fees and solvent waste disposal costs whilst getting test results in minutes for faster batch release
The FoodLab has many advantages over the conventional iodometric and acid-base titration methods for FFA and PV testing, which require significant solvent volumes, glassware, controlled laboratory conditions and trained personnel
Specification
FoodLab
Samples Analysed Simultaneously: 16
Storage of Results: Sufficient internal memory for storing thousands of analysis results in CVS and XML files compatible with all database formats (e.g., XLS, SQL)
Photometric Module: Up to 8 wavelengths in 4 reading cells
Incubation Module: 37 ° C thermostated block with 16 positions
Barcode/QR Code Scanner Connection: Bluetooth
Connectivity
1 USB port type B for transferring the performed analysis database, configuration and software update, PC connection
1 USB port type A for technical service and computer connection
1 Ethernet port (LAN) for connection to intranet
Bluetooth 4.0
Printer: 80 mm wide printer with integrated graphics
Dimensions: 32 x 29.5 x 13 cm (W x D x H)
Weight: 2.80 kg
Power supply: 24 V
FoodLab Junior
Samples Analysed Simultaneously: 3
Storage of Results: Sufficient internal memory for storing thousands of analysis results in CVS and XML files compatible with all database formats (e.g., XLS, SQL)
Photometric Module: Up to 8 wavelengths in 4 reading cells
Incubation Module: 37°C thermostated reading block with 3 positions with incubation function
Connectivity: 1 USB port type B for transferring the performed analysis database, configuration and software update, PC connection
Printer: Wireless connection for external printer
Dimensions: 15 x 22 x 8,3 cm (W x D x H)
Weight: 0.80 Kg
Power Supply: 24 V or optional lithium-ion battery