Automation in food analysis

wound in a double helix. Fluid transfer power is supplied by compressed air, whilst the valving system is exposed solely to "clean" fluids air and methylene chloride. Use of an appropriate phase separator permits other water/solvent combinations to be used. Massie 15] has developed a multi-channel, continuous flow instrument for use in water testing laboratories. This instrument is capable of running six tests simultaneously, many of the tests in the part-per-billion range. The automatic sampler has a special feature so that it can accommodate samples with different matrices, such as acid digested samples for a TKN determination. The programmer is capable of interfacing with two samplers; therefore, four different sample matrices can be handled at one time. Conetta [16] presented a technique whereby total phosphate in water samples may be determined by a photochemical decomposition of organic phosphorus compounds and the thermal hydrolysis of acid-hydrolysable phosphates followed by the conventional colorimetric determination of the liberated ortho-phosphate with molybdenum blue. Analytica! performance data were presented and discussed. Further details of these papers can be obtained by corresponding with the primary authors. Many of these have indicated that they will be submitting their manuscripts to this Journal for formal publication. P.B. Stockwell

Institute of Canada (PPRIC), 570 St. John's Blvd., Pointe Claire, Que., Canada. [3] Continuous analysis of oxygen in coke oven gas. Dan P. Manka [2] who discussed the automation Of on-line sample preparation procedures for HPLC, with particular reference to solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, concentration, solvent exchange and derivatisation techniques. The potential for the incorporation of these procedures into fully automated analytical systems for use in the food industry was considered. The final paper of the morning session was given by Dr Saxby [3] who briefly described a compact computer-controlled quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a gas chromatograph. The application of the technique was illustrated by reference to work on the detection of taints and off-flavours in foodstuffs. The use of the peak-finder mode of operation, in which mass spectra are recorded on all peaks from the GC, was exemplified by reference to the detection of chlorobenzene in milk products. The use of ion-monitor mode, in which only selected ions are monitored, was illustrated by the detection of chloroanisoles, chlorophenols and mesityl oxide in a variety of materials.
After lunch the Automatic Methods Group held a short AGM before the first paper in the afternoon session in which Dr Osborne [4] discussed the application of near IR(NIR) in the automated analysis of protein and moisture levels in cereals and cereal products. He also indicated further possible applications including the measurement of flour colour, degree of starch damage and the prediction of bread-making quality of the flour. The second paper, by Mr Davies [5] considered the use of automated ion-selective electrode analytical procedures with particular reference to the determination of trace chloride levels in poultry meat. Finally, Mr Steele [6] described some automated on-line monitoring systems for the measurement of a variety of physical parameters of food materials during processing. He particularly emphasised the impact of micro-electronics in the fields of weighing, sorting, flow measurement and sizing, and the contribution of microprocessors in the field of integrated plant control systems. Finally he gave a brief insight into the future with a mention of the use of a microprocessor controlled automated NMR spectrometer for the measurement of fat in a chocolate ingredient.
The meeting was well received by the audience and a particularly useful exchange of information and ideas was obtained during the two discussion periods at the end of the morning and afternoon sessions. It was unfortunate that an attendance of 35 did not do justice to the excellent contributions from the speakers and the superb facilities provided by our hosts BFMIRA. Clive  The show presented the latest state of the art instrumentation, and these instruments are more and more sophisticated however, do they fulfill the true aims of the analyst? Very often it is sad to note that instrument companies have developed their systems without regard to the needs of the analyst; particularly they do not often allow facilities for filing data and interogation of the data at a future date.
It is impossible to cover all the aspects of instrumentation on show which related to automation, however the few which are discussed here typify those on show.

Spectrophotometer
The new DU-5 UV-visible/NIR computing spectrophotometer displayed by Beckman automates procedures in analysing aerosols, polymers, paints, food, drugs, water and biologicals. This table-top instrument includes a spectrophotometer, microcomputer and printer in one unit with software memory storage modules. It can be programmed for specific user applications with quick change-over between analyses. The The unit includes software stored in read-only memory (firmware) for five operating modes, Four of these (spectrum scan mode, total pressure mode, specific.peak mode, and calibration mode) automatically perform most of the common tasks required to control the unit. The fifth, direct control mode, permits even more operator flexibility by allowing the user to write totally original programs. UII, 325 N. Mathilda Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA.

IR Spectrophotometers
Perkin Elmer's new product line of low cost infr.ared spectrophotometers, the Model 1300 series, was exhibited. There are three models; the 1310 has a single slit program and two scan speeds, the 1320 and 1330 have three scan speeds and two appropriate slit programs.
The series can be interfaced to the Model 3500 infrared data station providing an improvement of spectral quality and the facility to use the spectrophotometer for 'Search' applications in the identification of unknowns.
Editor's Note:. The address of the manufacturer/supplier appears in italics at the end of each item. In some cases this address will be that of a subsidiary to the manufacturing company as the address given is that from which the information has been obtained.