FlavourSpec

The FlavourSpec25 consists of a gas chromatograph coupled to an ion mobility spectrometer (GC-IMS) with automatic sampling. The measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace above liquid or solid samples is performed either by identifying and quantifying individual compounds or by creating a unique “fingerprint” of aroma/flavor-inducing volatiles down to the low (single-digit) ppb range. This enables the accurate characterization/classification of analyzed samples, particularly in the food/beverage and process industries as well as in the medical field. What makes this technology unique is that it can be used without any reagents/solvents or other sample pretreatment, or even preconcentration. This provides ideal support for the field of sensory analysis in particular, as many substances can be measured in the range corresponding to that of the human nose. The FlavourSpec25 is therefore used in the following applications:

• Quality control and authentication of raw materials/intermediate/end products through the typical, unique fingerprint of characteristic flavor compounds
• Analytical/objective detection of individual substances, leading to “documentation”
• Support for sensory panels with critical samples
• Quantification of individual “marker substances” of flavors such as off-odors
• Sensitive detection of odor problems (migration of volatile substances from plastics/papers to food in packaging)
• Support for new product creations in the food sector (tea, coffee, e-cigarettes, etc.)
• Optimization of manufacturing processes
• Authentication of products or their qualities and/or origin