Nitrogen/protein determination in meat derivative products

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a new application note entitled Nitrogen/Protein determination in meat derivative products using the Thermo Scientific FLASH 4000.

It details the analytical conditions and methodology necessary to achieve rapid, safe and reliable protein content determination.

It is available to download free-of-charge via the literature library at www.thermo.com/oea

New regulations now stipulate that all processed food and most raw foods must state the protein content on the nutrition label as a quality index for consumers.

Producers must now test products to determine nutritional composition, including monitoring protein content by testing for levels of nitrogen.

Traditionally, the Kjeldahl method is used to determine protein content, but the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) has added the Dumas combustion technique as a recognized method (method 992.15) for such analyses.

The FLASH 4000, which is based on the Dumas combustion method, requires no sample digestion or toxic chemicals, offering a much safer, more economical and less environmentally damaging solution for protein determination.

Thermo Scientific Eager Xperience software features Oxytune to automatically calculate the oxygen amount necessary for sample combustion.

It also automatically calculates the protein content in accordance with the food type.

In addition to simplifying the analytical operation, these functions allow 24/7 unattended operation, reducing instrument downtime and offering improved streamlined workflow.