Spectroscopic evaluation of tallow
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsMartine Cécile Bercier, Amanda Louise Carroll, Tina M. Hoetmer, Lyndakaye EmaLee Prior
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A characteristic of tallow may be evaluated using a spectrometer such as a near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. For example, optical reflectance data may be obtained from tallow, the reflectance data corresponding to a specified range of infra-red wavelengths. A value corresponding to the characteristic may be output based on the reflectance data generated by the spectrometer. The characteristic may include moisture, free fatty acid, or insoluble impurities as a percentage or concentration in a sample, for example.
Claims18
A method for near infrared evaluation of insoluble impurities of an edible tallow sample, the method comprising:
- receiving a prepared sample of the edible tallow sample at a spectrometer;
- scanning, using the spectrometer, the prepared sample with infrared spectroscopy;
- determining, using a processor, a percent of insoluble impurities in the edible tallow sample based on a result of the scan;
- and
- outputting the percent of insoluble impurities in the edible tallow sample.
A system for near infrared evaluation of insoluble impurities of an edible or inedible tallow sample, the system comprising:
- a spectrometer configured to:
- emit light comprising a specified range of infrared wavelengths;
- receive a reflection from a prepared sample of the edible or inedible tallow sample;
- and
- establish reflectance data corresponding to the received reflection;
- and
- a processor circuit coupled to a memory circuit and communicatively coupled to the spectrometer, the processor circuit configured to:
- determine a percent of insoluble impurities in the edible or inedible tallow sample based on the reflectance data;
- and
- output the percent of insoluble impurities in the edible or inedible tallow sample.
A method for near infrared evaluation of insoluble impurities ic of an inedible tallow sample, the method comprising:
- receiving a prepared sample of the inedible tallow sample at a spectrometer;
- scanning, using the spectrometer, the prepared sample with infrared spectroscopy;
- determining, using a processor, a percent of insoluble impurities in the inedible tallow sample based on a result of the scan;
- and
- outputting the percent of insoluble impurities in the inedible tallow sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.