# US 6,720,185 B2 · Method for analysis of the textural structure of food of a multi-component dispersion system

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- Number: US 6,720,185 B2
- Document ID: US6720185B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/223,366
- Filed: 2002-08-20
- Published: 2003-09-25
- Granted: 2004-04-13
- Earliest claimed: 2002-02-13
- Assignees: Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.
- Inventors: Tatsurou Maeda; Masaharu Yamada; Kouji Takeya
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6720185B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)}
- G01N 33/02: Food
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method for analysis of the textural structure of a food of a multi-component dispersion system, in which a food of a multi-component dispersion system is stained with a fluorescent dye, and observing the stained food within a wavelength range lower than the value calculated by subtracting 40 nm from the maximum absorption wavelength of the employed fluorescent dye. The method enables image analysis through stereoscopic visualization of the textural structure of a food of a multi-component dispersion system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for analysis of a textural structure of a food of a multi-component dispersion system, comprising the steps of staining food containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of starches, proteins, and lipids with at least one species of a fluorescent dye, and observing the stained food within a wavelength range lower than a value calculated by subtracting 40 nm from a maximum absorption wavelength of the fluorescent dye used to stain the food.

### Claim 2

A method for analysis of a textural structure of a food of a multi-component dispersion system, comprising the steps of staining food containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of starches, proteins, and lipids with at least one species of a fluorescent dye, observing the stained food at two or more different wavelengths which fall within a wavelength range lower than a value calculated by subtracting 40 nm from a maximum absorption wavelength of the fluorescent dye used to stain the food, and synthesizing at least two images obtained therefrom.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted within a wavelength range lower than the value calculated by subtracting 50 nm from the maximum absorption wavelength of the employed fluorescent dye.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted within a wavelength range lower than the value calculated by subtracting 70 nm from the maximum absorption wavelength of the employed fluorescent dye.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination, and by use of phase contrast observation as a phase contrasting means.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination, and by use of differential interference as a phase contrasting means.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted within a wavelength range lower than the value calculated by subtracting 50 nm from the maximum absorption wavelength of the employed fluorescent dye.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted within a wavelength range lower than the value calculated by subtracting 70 nm from the maximum absorption wavelength of the employed fluorescent dye.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination, and by use of phase contrast observation as a phase contrasting means.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the observation of the stained food is conducted by use of fluorescence observation and phase contrast observation in combination, and by use of differential interference as a phase contrasting means.