Zeta Potential and food stability
The stability of a suspension or emulsion is affected by both its rheological properties and its charge. Measurement of the particle charge, or more strictly zeta potential, and how it changes as a function of the concentration of an additive such as citric acid, or a salt to a food product, is important when trying to improve product shelf life. The MPT-2 autotitrator allows such parameters to be changed automatically, and the resultant change in charge (and hence stability), monitored.
The appearance of a haze in beer and wine is unwelcome to the brewer, as it occurs or is noticed only in the final stages of the production process. It is often due to the presence of yeast, yeast debris or aggregated proteins. As well as spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the drink, it can affect the taste and smell of the product which is obviously of great importance to the consumer. Studying the zeta potential, one of the colloidal parameters responsible for particle stability and flocculation, can assist in identifying the origin of the problem.
Brochures:
Brochure: Zetasizer Nano ZS Download the Zetasizer Nano ZS Brochure
Brochure: MPT-2 Autotitrator Download the MPT-2 Autotitrator Brochure
Application Notes:
Application Note: Emulsions: Predicting the stability of lipid emulsions Measurements of zeta potential, along with particle size, can be used to predict the stability of fat emulsions.
Web seminars available for play back:
Web seminar: The Use of Zeta Potential For Improving Suspension Stability and Product Shelf Life - 11th Aug 2005 The application of zeta potential measurements to investigating mechanisms of achieving dispersion stability in various industries will be presented.
Web Seminar: Predicting Formulation Stability with the Zetasizer Nano System - 7th Sept 2004 Particle sizing is routinely used to monitor colloid and protein formulation stability. Because of the sensitivity of dynamic light scattering to small amounts of aggregation, loss of formulation stability can easily be monitored.
Web Seminar: Why make Zeta Potential measurements - 23rd Oct 2003 Zeta potential is the electrical potential which exits at the hydrodynamic plane of shear of a particle. The zeta potential depends on both the particle surface and the dispersant. Particles interact according to the magnitude of zeta potential , not their surface charge and therefore zeta potential can be used to predict dispersion stability.
Web Seminar: MPT-2 Sample Preparation Accessory for Zetasizer Series - 3rd Mar 2004 The measurement of the zeta potential of a dispersed system is rarely useful if only performed under a single set of environmental conditions. Much more information is available for stability prediction.
