COLOUR ANALYSER

The LabScan XE is a full scaning spectrocolorimeter with a wavelength range

from 400 to 700 nm. It is designed for use with the sample port facing up or forward.

It can also be used port-down with an optional stand. The sample is illuminated by a

xenon flash lamp and reflected light is collected by a 15- station fiber optic ring. For

maximum stability, the instrument is automatically standardized to an internal

reference tile whenever measurements are made.

This most versatile 00/450 spectrophotometer measures reflected color the way the

eye sees it, including the effect of gloss. It measures samples in virtually any form

from solids and powders to liquids. The system uses automation extensively with

functions that include automatic standardization to an internal reference to maintain

maximum measurement stability, and UV control for the measurement of .optical

brighteners. Automated variable sample illumination allows measurement of large

and small sample areas. LabScan XE includes EasyMatch@ QC software to collect,

display, analyze and store color data.

Procedure

I. Smaller areas on larger samples

1.       Configure software to read using the desired color scale, illuminant, and

observer.

2.       Install the 0.20 inch (5 mm) port plate and standardize the instrument for

the 0.125 inch (3.175mm) area of view. First standardize on the black glass,

then the white tile.

 3.       Place the area of the fish to be measured face-down over the sample port

and hold it in place. Make sure that the area of the sample to be measured

faces the port and completely covers the port opening.

4.       Take a single color reading of the sample. Rotate the sample 90 0 or move

the sample to another area containing the same color and read it at least once

more. Average the multiple color readings for a single color measurement.

Averaging multiple readings with rotation or movement between readings

allows you to better estimate the color of the designated area(s) as a whole.

5.       Record the average color values.

II. Semi-solids, translucent and liquid fish products

 

LabScan XE 00/450 spectrophotometer in the port-up orientation with the 1.75inch

sample cup viewing port can be used to measure the reflectance of translucent semi-

solids in a glass sample cup with a ring and disk set and opaque cover.

1.       Configure software to read using the desired color scale, illuminant, and

observer.

2.       Orient the instrument with the port facing up. Replace the regular port insert

with the special port insert for the sample cup

3.       Standardize the instrument for the 1.75 inch port size and 1.0 inch area of

view using the black and calibrated white standards. Measuring with a smaller

area of view than port size is appropriate for translucent samples.

4.       Insert the 10-mm black ring into the 2.5 inch glass sample cup so that it

settles flat on the bottom of the cup. The plastic ring fixes the internal path

length of light through the semi-solid sample at 10mm while excluding outside

light that can cause measurement interference.

5.       Stir or shake the sample, if necessary, to homogenize it to its usual level.

Then fill the cup with the translucent semi-solid sample until the sample is

above the level of the ring.

6.       Push the white ceramic disk down through the semi-solid sample until it

rests firmly on top of the black ring. The disk provides a white background to

direct light that has traveled through the sample back to the detector.

7.       Your goal is to have the sample appear smooth and opaque through the

glass bottom of the sample cup.

8.       Place the sample cup at the instrument port.

9.       Cover the sample cup with the opaque cover. The opaque cover prevents

any ambient light from outside the instrument from leaking into the detector.

10.    Take a single reading of the sample through the bottom of the sample cup.

If the sample is uniform in color or the tolerances are wide, one reading may

be sufficient to characterize the sample color. For non-uniform samples or to

ensure a higher level of measurement repeatability, average 'several readings

with sample replacement for a single color measurement represent the color

of the batch. Scoop or pour the sample out of the sample cup, refill it, and

measure again several times from the same batch. Average the readings

together for a single color measurement representing the color of the batch.

Averaging multiple readings minimizes measurement variation associated

with non-uniform samples.

11.    Record the average color values for the sample batch.
The Hunter L,a,b color space is a 3-dimensional rectangular color space based on
the opponent-colors theory.

–L (lightness) axis - 0 is black, 100 is white

–a (red-green) axis - positive values are red; negative values are green and 0 is
neutral
–b (blue-yellow) axis - positive values are yellow; negative values are blue and 0 is
neutral

RESULTS

Colour values of extruded maize flour based snack food: L * = 70.1 ± 2.2

a * = -1 ± -0.4

b * = 17.4 ± 2