Dr Jyothirmayi on Role of Analytical Instruments in Product Development & Quality Control
On the Day 1 session on “Building the ecosystem for Food Testing Labs in India”, at analyticaAnacon India and India Lab Expo 2024, Dr. T. Jyothirmayi, Former Chief Scientist and Head at CSIR-CFTRI Resource Centre, delivered an insightful presentation on the critical role of analytical instruments in product development and quality control. Drawing on her extensive experience, Dr.Jyothirmayi highlighted the ways in which advanced analytical tools are essential for ensuring that food products meet both consumer expectations and regulatory standards.
Importance of Quality Control
Dr.Jyothirmayi began by stressing the vital role that quality control plays in the food industry. It is not just about meeting standards but about continuously improving the quality of products to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. She emphasized that quality control is a dynamic process, as new contaminants and testing methods continue to emerge, such as the growing concern around PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in food packaging.
In India, quality control is particularly important because, despite the country’s large production of agricultural commodities, exports remain low compared to neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Dr.Jyothirmayi suggested that one of the key reasons for this is the lack of widespread, affordable testing, which often hinders smaller producers from ensuring their products meet international standards.
Product Development & the Role of Analytical Instruments
Food analysis is crucial for product development, labelling, and safety assessment. Dr.Jyothirmayi explained that food products, whether raw or processed, must be analysed for their composition, structure, and physico-chemical properties. Analytical instruments provide valuable data on the content of proteins, lipids, sugars, and vitamins, among other nutrients. She gave the example of mango juice, where drinking just 200 ml can meet the daily recommended intake of 25 grams of sugar, underscoring the importance of knowing exact nutrient content for both consumer health and product labelling.
Some of the most common analytical techniques used in product development include:
– Oven drying methods for moisture analysis.
– Viscometers for measuring the flow properties of oils and other liquids.
– Gas chromatography (GC) for analyzing fatty acid profiles and volatile compounds.
– High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for determining vitamins and polyphenols.
– Spectrophotometric methods for analyzing antioxidants and detecting contaminants like pesticides.
Challenges for Small Producers
Dr.Jyothirmayi highlighted one of the most significant challenges facing small producers in India: the high cost of testing. For example, testing for vitamins or minerals in baby food can be prohibitively expensive, with each nutrient test costing approximately ₹2,500. For self-help groups and small-scale producers earning around ₹10,000 a month, these costs can prevent their products from being tested, which limits their ability to export or scale their businesses.
Dr.Jyothirmayi emphasized the need for more affordable testing solutions that can help small producers bring their products to the global market. She encouraged collaboration between industry and research institutions to develop cost-effective analytical tools and testing services.
Nutritional Labelling& Compliance
With the increasing consumer demand for nutritional labelling, Dr.Jyothirmayi stressed the importance of accurate product information. She mentioned the significance of listing details like added sugars, dietary fibre, and nutritional value on food labels, as these play a crucial role in managing lifestyle-related health issues like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
She gave specific examples, such as the importance of crude fibre in preventing blood sugar spikes and promoting digestive health, and the benefits of using whole wheat flour over refined flour to maintain fiber content in food products. Accurate labelling is also critical for identifying allergens and ensuring that consumers with specific dietary needs can make informed choices.
Food Fortification & Continuous Improvement
Dr.Jyothirmayi also addressed the issue of food fortification, particularly with vitamins A and D, which are now added to edible oils and milk. She stressed that, while these efforts are important, India still faces challenges related to nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin D deficiency, which is widespread due to limited sun exposure and lifestyle changes.
She also discussed the need for continuous improvement in product development. Quality standards should not only ensure compliance with regulations but also define the benefits of fortification and other innovations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D were highlighted, pushing the food industry to incorporate more nutrients into everyday products.
Role of Analytical Instruments in Enhancing Quality
Throughout her presentation, Dr.Jyothirmayi reiterated the critical role that analytical instruments play in ensuring product quality and consumer safety. Some of the key instruments and methods she highlighted include:
– Muffle furnaces for ash content analysis in spices like turmeric, where the ash content should not exceed 0.15%.
– Spectrophotometric methods for detecting antioxidants in foods.
– Gas chromatography for analyzing pesticide residues and environmental pollutants in various products.
– HPLC for analyzing vitamins and bioactive compounds like curcumin in turmeric and lycopene in tomatoes.
Dr.Jyothirmayi also underscored the importance of feedback from consumers and how companies like Hindustan Unilever continuously monitor product quality through consumer feedback, ensuring that any equivalent product introduced to the market does not compromise their brand’s standards.
Dr.Jyothirmayi’s presentation offered a comprehensive overview of the essential role that analytical instruments play in the food industry, particularly in the areas of product development and quality control. Her emphasis on affordability, continuous improvement, and the need for accessible testing solutions for small producers highlighted some of the key challenges facing the industry today.
She concluded by reiterating the importance of quality: whether for local consumption or global exports, ensuring that food products meet rigorous quality standards is vital for the success and growth of India’s food industry. With the right analytical tools and a commitment to continuous improvement, the industry can meet consumer expectations and ensure the health and safety of the public.
– Raja Aditya
