With the huge increase in the popularity of “wrapped” foods ranging from ‘Mexican’ wraps to crispy duck pancakes at the Chinese restaurant, there is a need for greater quality control in this sector. Lloyd Instruments, a key manufacturer of texture analysis instruments, has introduced a new jig for its TAPlus texture analyzer for testing the burst strength of thin, pliable dough bread products such as tortillas, chapatis and fajitas.

Since these are used in “wrap” products, it is essential that they have enough elasticity to prevent breaking when they are wound round the fillings, yet remain strong enough to retain the filling.

The new burst strength jig consists of a plate with an aperture of 50 mm diameter and a clamp that allows the bread sample to be held firmly and flat over the aperture. A 25 mm diameter stainless steel ball probe is then used to apply a uniform compression force to the bread until the ball bursts through. The ball probe ensures that the force is distributed at an angle normal to the surface area of the ball to give an averaging effect over the local area being tested. The test gives a measure of the in-plane biaxial strength of the bread. This type of test has been used extensively in the textile and paper industries.

The TAPlus is an easy to use instrument for evaluation of many textural properties (hardness, stickiness, gumminess, adhesiveness, bloom strength etc) of a wide range of raw and processed food products at all stages of manufacture. It can perform rapid, detailed texture profile analysis for applications up to 102 kgf (1 kN, 225 lbf).

- ENDS -



Note for Editors 

Lloyd Instruments is a unit of the AMETEK Measurement & Calibration Technologies Division.  Both are part of AMETEK, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors with annual sales of $1.8 billion.  Visit www.lloyd-instruments.com for more information. 

Further Enquiries:

Suzanne Sharpe, Lloyd Instruments Ltd. Forum House, 12 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham, Hants PO15 5TT UK.  Tel. +44 (0)1489 486399  Fax. +44 (0)1489 885118  http://www.lloyd-instruments.com   E-mail suzanne.sharpe@ametek.co.uk  

Press Enquiries: 

Denis Bulgin, In Press Public Relations Ltd. PO Box 24, Royston, Herts, SG8 6TT UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1763 262621, Fax +44 (0) 1488 73773.  http://www.inpress.co.uk  E-mail: denis@inpress.co.uk