Towards greater accuracy and efficiency

Accuracy in analyzing nutrients Given the importance of nutritional data in the food industry, nutritional data is not only essential for accurate product labeling, but is also used by consumers to make informed decisions about their diet.

The food industry needs to ensure the quality and safety of its products, and nutrient analysis plays a crucial role in this process, as emerging technologies are introduced, such as:

• Mass spectroscopy
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI)

These technologies have characterized the pre- and post-determination of the nutritional composition of foods, providing unprecedented accuracy in the identification and quantification of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds.

Don't stop reading: The impact of food processing on nutritional quality: Focus on preserving nutrients

Traditional methods vs. New methods for analyzing nutrients

Traditionally, nutrient analysis relies on methods such as chromatography, spectroscopy and titration. These methods are reliable, but can be slow, expensive and require highly trained personnel.

In recent years, new methods have emerged that offer a series of advantages over traditional methods, such as:

• faster: Some of these methods can provide results within minutes, which is a huge improvement over traditional methods that can take hours or even days.
• more accurate: New methods provide greater accuracy in measuring nutrients, which is critical to ensuring the quality and safety of food products.
• More economical: Some of these methods are cheaper than traditional methods, making them accessible to companies in the food industry.
• Easier to use: The new methods are generally easier to use than traditional methods, meaning that no highly trained staff are required to do them.

Examples of new methods for analyzing nutrients in foods

Some examples of new nutrient analysis methods include:

• Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS): This technology is used to measure the chemical composition of foods quickly and without damaging them.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This technology provides detailed information about the molecular structure of foods.
• Biosensors: These sensors can detect the presence of details in food.

The application of these advanced methodologies has a direct impact on different stages of the food industry value chain and through optimal use of resources and minimization of waste, these technologies contribute to the creation of more efficient and environmentally friendly food systems.