How does food look like on the nanoscale?

3D rendering of a portion of about 20 micron diameter of the cream cheese-like food system used for this study. Rendering by Liborius ApS.
3D rendering of a portion of about 20 micron diameter of the cream cheese-like food system used for this study. Rendering by Liborius ApS.

The answer to this question could save food industry a lot of money and reduce food waste caused by faulty production. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Paul Scherrer Institut have obtained a 3D image of food on the nanoscale using ptychographic X-ray computed tomography. This work paves the way towards a more detailed knowledge of the structure of complex food systems.

News release
University of Copenhagen News. For the first time scientists can observe the nano structure of food in 3D.
Publication
Ptychographic X-ray computed tomography of extended colloidal networks in food emulsions
M. Nielsen, M. B. Munk, A. Diaz, E. B. L. Pedersen, M. Holler, S. Bruns, J. Risbo, K. Mortensen, R. Feidenhans’l.
Food Struct. 7, 21-28 (2016) DOI:10.1016/j.foostr.2016.01.001
Contact
Dr. Ana Diaz, Swiss Light Source
Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
Phone: +41 56 310 5626, e-mail: ana.diaz@psi.ch