Validation of an Optical Technology for the Determination of pH in Milk during Yogurt Manufacture.

Current systems that allow inline pH control in the fermented dairy industry have drawbacks, such as protein adhesion on the non-glass pH probes, measurement distortion, frequent recalibration needs, and sensitivity to extreme pH conditions encountered during clean-in-place operations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the feasibility of estimating the pH of milk during the yogurt making process by using a NIR light backscatter sensor measuring under different fermentation temperatures and milk protein concentrations using a mathematical model that correlates the light scatter signal with pH. Three replications of the experiment with two protein concentrations (3.

Validation of a Portable Fluorescence Spectroscopy System to Monitor Heat Damage in Industrially Processed Milk.

Heat treatments play a critical role in ensuring the safety and preservation of milk, but it can affect its nutritional and sensory properties. The present paper proposes the use of a portable system based on fluorescence spectroscopy as an alternative method for the quantification of four thermal damage markers at once (hydroxymethylfurfural, sulfhydryl groups, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin). The obtained prediction models using autofluorescent compounds (tryptophan, dityrosine, Maillard compounds, and riboflavin), validated with skimmed milk processed under several industrial conditions, granted the development of a portable and/or online system, allowing for the real-time monitoring of thermal damage and control of the heat treatment process.

A method for the inline measurement of milk gel firmness using an optical sensor.

At present, selection of cutting time during cheesemaking is made based on subjective methods, which has effects on product homogeneity and has prevented complete automation of cheesemaking. In this work, a new method for inline monitoring of curd firmness is presented. The method consisted of developing a model that correlates the backscatter ratio of near infrared light during milk coagulation with the rheological storage modulus.

Effects of Suboptimally Presented Erotic Pictures on Moral Judgments: A Cross-Cultural Comparison.

Previous research has identified a set of core factors that influence moral judgments. The present study addresses the interplay between moral judgments and four factors: (a) incidental affects, (b) sociocultural context, (c) type of dilemma, and (d) participant's sex. We asked participants in two different countries (Colombia and Spain) to judge the acceptability of actions in response to personal and impersonal moral dilemmas.