Lactose testing is a critical aspect of quality control in the dairy industry. As the primary carbohydrate in milk, lactose levels not only indicate milk quality and freshness, but ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Accurate lactose testing is vital for product labeling, especially for lactose-intolerant consumers, and assists in processing methods for various dairy products. The need for reliable and efficient lactose testing methods is necessary for dairy farmers and producers to maintain product quality, ensure health and safety, and achieve regulatory compliance.
Lactose levels directly impact the quality of dairy products, including sensory aspects such as their taste and texture. Milk typically has higher lactose content compared to milk derived products, such as cheese and yogurt. Accurate lactose measurements are essential for consumers, especially those who are lactose intolerant, as it helps them make informed choices. Additionally, the transparency of product labels is increasingly important to consumers who demand clear information about the products they consume.
Higher lactose content can also contribute to microbial growth, which reduces the shelf life of dairy products. Therefore, precise lactose measurements are crucial for maintaining product freshness and safety. The CDR FoodLab® provides accurate lactose measurements for various dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cream, margarine, and butter. Its capability to measure lactose in products with ranges such as 0.01-5.50g/100g for milk and 0.01-2.00g/100g for yogurt ensures that producers can consistently deliver high-quality products.
The CDR FoodLab® is equipped with
a pre-calibrated LED spectrophotometer and user-friendly interface that eliminates the need for routine calibrations. The accuracy of CDR FoodLab®'s method has been validated through various studies including the Poligny ACTALIA (France) reference laboratory, specializing in food analysis, by performing an evaluation study comparing the lactose analysis results obtained from the CDR FoodLab® and the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method, achieving an excellent correlation (R2 = 0.9882).
This high level of accuracy ensures reliable results, while also minimizing the use of chemicals and reducing the time required for testing. The CDR FoodLab® can deliver results in just 10 minutes, allowing dairy producers to make quick and informed decisions in real time.
One of the unique features of CDR FoodLab® is its ability to customize testing methods to meet specific needs through custom calibration curves. While the device comes pre-calibrated and ready to use, there are instances where a product's official method results may not perfectly match the CDR FoodLab® results. In such cases, the CDR FoodLab® offers the flexibility to add a custom calibration curve, ensuring that the testing method is tailored to the specific product’s needs.
An example of CDR FoodLab®'s capability to adapt and provide precise results can be seen in a case involving a whey permeate producer. The company faced challenges with lactose testing for their whey permeate product which had an unusually high lactose content. The pre-calibrated range of the analyzer was exceeded for this product, creating the need for additional sample dilution steps prior to analysis. Initial results without the additional dilution step read outside the acceptable range (>5.5 g/100g), highlighting the need for a customized approach.
Through a detailed process of research and testing, including the collection of data from both CDR FoodLab® and the official HPLC method, a new custom lactose curve was developed. This involved running tests, comparing data sets, and ultimately, creating a calibration curve that accounted for high lactose samples. The outcome was an accurate testing method that allowed the customer to test for precise lactose measurements in their whey permeate product.
CDR FoodLab® offers numerous benefits for lactose testing in the dairy industry, including high accuracy, rapid results, and customizable solutions. Its advanced features and reliable performance make it a valuable tool for dairy farmers and producers looking to enhance efficiency, ensure product quality, and maintain regulatory compliance. By implementing the CDR FoodLab® in their quality control process, the dairy industry can deliver superior products to their consumers with confidence.
The CDR FoodLab® is not only able to test for Lactose, but a variety of other dairy and food tests. Learn more about all the products and tests the CDR FoodLab® is able to do here!
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