Manufacturers of fruit preparations usually use steel containers to store batches of their product. After each emptying process, these must be sterilized before they are refilled. Despite strict cleaning requirements, the risk of mold growth still remains. Mold is usually detected by microbiological methods, which provide results only after 24 to 48 hours due to the long incubation period and slow growth of the causative agents. Regular analysis for ongoing mold growth is important. However, this is not easy with methods that take so long.
Background
Solution
Mold-forming substances emit a mixture of characteristic volatile compounds that can be determined using ion molecular reaction mass spectrometry (IMR-MS). This versatile and highly accurate technology, developed by V&F, can determine mold growth within minutes by analyzing the gas space directly above the product. IMR-MS is a highly sensitive method that can determine even extremely low concentrations of the molecule in question. Results are available immediately, allowing mold prevention measures to be taken.
Advantage
Compared to standard microbiological techniques, IMR-MS technology provides results much more rapidly and can be used for continuous measurements. In addition, the AirSense IMR-MS can be equipped with a sample gas switch, allowing measurement of up to 16 containers in succession within short intervals.
Reference clients (excerpt)
