Functional Food Ingredients Characterization Service
Characterization is a critical step in describing the composition, properties and potential health benefits of the functional ingredient. Aprofood has state-of-the-art analytical facilities and a team of experts, as well as standardized analytical procedures, to characterize the functional compounds.
Why Characterize Functional Ingredients?
Functional food ingredient characterization services are provided by our specialized laboratories and serve two main purposes.
- Determine the chemical structure and physical properties. This helps to establish reproducible analytical and production methods, and to understand their interaction, stability and function during digestion and absorption.
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Meeting regulatory requirements. Describe the consistency, purity, and safety of ingredients to establish standards and specifications for their production, storage, and labeling.
Our Service
Aprofood has developed specific chemical and bioanalytical methods and assays, providing comprehensive analysis and characterization services for a wide range of functional ingredients.
Chemical Composition Analysis
Analysis of the chemical composition of foods and ingredients, identification and quantification of functional compounds. This includes analysis of fatty acids, amino acids, prebiotics, dietary fiber, polyphenols, saponins, flavonoids, carotenoids, sterols, etc. Analytical techniques we offer include chromatography, mass spectrometry (MS), spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, etc.
Physicochemical Properties Evaluation
Describe the basic characteristics of the physicochemical behavior of compounds. Includes the determination of properties such as solubility, pH, viscosity, density, surface tension, and particle size distribution. Analytical techniques like spectrophotometry, rheological measurements, laser diffraction, microscopy and electrophoresis are commonly employed.
Viability and Stability Testing
Studying the performance of functional compounds in food formulations and processing, which consists of two main tests.
- Technological Compatibility. Evaluating the survival rate and stability of bioactive compounds under various food-processing conditions, including heat resistance, cold resistance and pH changes.
- Compatibility with Food Matrices. Assessment of the interaction of functional ingredients with other food matrices, such as emulsifiers, antimicrobial agents and antioxidants, to ensure shelf life and potency of the functional ingredients in the food formula.
Here's an overview of the relevant characterization parameters corresponding to the different ingredients. Our characterization services are applied to but not limited to the components listed below.
| Category |
Characterization Parameters |
| Probiotics |
Genetic stability, viability, colony-forming units (CFUs). |
| Prebiotics |
Chemical composition, structure, solubility, viscosity, fermentability and potential prebiotic properties. |
| Synbiotics |
Stability and viability, compatibility and synergistic effects. |
| Bioactive Peptides |
Identifying source, structure, sequence, stability and viability. |
| Dietary Fibers |
Determining the soluble and insoluble fractions, particle size, viscosity and water-holding capacity, gelation properties, fermentability. |
| Functional Lipids |
Fatty acid profile, nutritional profile, viscosity, melting point, solid fat content (SFC), crystallization behavior, and microstructure and stability. |
Why Choose Us?
Wide Range of Ingredients
We are a one-stop shop for all types of food ingredients.
Innovative Program
We have a systematic development program to meet innovation needs.
Customized Formulation Portfolio
We develop customized additive combinations to optimize value for all types of foods and beverages.
Quality Assurance
We have the highest standards of production and quality testing procedures.
Aprofood is a reliable partner for you, we provide you with high-quality food ingredients and help you find the optimal solution for food development and innovation. No matter the size of your business or where you are located, we're happy to help. Our product and service comply with global, regional, and local regulations. Please contact us for more information on developing your business.
For Research Use Only.
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