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3M B&CS Laboratory Europe
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3M France Customer Application Center
Avenue Boulé PO box 28
F-95250 Beauchamp (France)
Low Range Shortening Monitor
LRSM
Technical Data
TD 250
Date : Nov 2005
Supersedes : April 2004
Author : EK/CB
Introduction :
Shortening continually
breaks down through normal
use. This process is charac-
terized by a modification of
the structure of the constitu-
ent molecules (Triglyc-
erides). The by-products that
are formed are mainly Polar
Compounds, among others
are Free Fatty Acids
(F.F.A.). The 3M Low
Range Shortening Monitor
utilizes the free fatty acid
concentration as an indicator
to the degree of shortening
breakdown.
Product Description :
A test is a stiff white paper strip
(0,7 x 9.5 cm), having near one
end of the strip, four blue bands
across its width. A red line will
differentiate the Low Range
Shortening Monitor from Stan-
dard Shortening Monitor.
Packaging :
•
Per 200
20 tests strips/
plastic tube
1 plastic tube/box
10 boxes/case
(i.e. 200 strips/case)
or
•
Per 200
50 tests strips/
plastic tube
4 plastic tubes/case
(i.e. 200 strips/case)
Product Use :
The 3M LRSM strip is dipped
into shortening at operating
temperature. By simply count-
ing the number of yellow
bands, the stage of shortening
breakdown is indirectly deter-
mined.
As shortening breaks down, the
free fatty acid concentration
increases, causing a greater
number of bands on the 3M
LRSM strip to change color. A
blue band will change com-
pletely to yellow at a specific
free fatty acid concentration
(see diagram).
FFA
> 2,5 %
FFA
> 2,0 %
FFA
> 1,5 %
FFA > 1,0 %
Applications :
The product can be used in all
types of frying oils and fats
(animal, vegetable, and blends)
and fryers, provided the test is
done at operating temperature
(between 160°C and 185°C).
Product advantages :
•
Easy to use
: no need for
skilled people.
•
Quick
: immediate results.
Determination is made 30
seconds after dipping the
test strip into shortening.
