Method and apparatus for detecting hydrocarbon oxidation

• US 5,712,165 A
• Filed: 08/22/1994
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BETH Israel Medical Center (Mount Sinai Beth Israel)
• Original Assignee: Beth Israel Hospital Adminstration
• Inventors: Alvarez, Juan G., Modell, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARRILLO, BIBI SHARIDAN
• Application Number:
  US08/294,173
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 422/82.05, 436/20, 436/23, 436/21, 436/60, 436/71, 436/142, 436/164, 436/172, 250/910, 356/301, 426/87, 426/231
• US Class Current: 436/21
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/03 Edible oils or edible fats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/91 Food sample analysis using invisible radiant energy source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/216 Unsaturated [e.g., ethylene, diene, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/24 Nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance or other spin effects or mass spectrometry

Abstract

Systems and methods for material analysis are disclosed in which an organic sample (e.g., a foodstuff, tissue sample or petroleum product) is illuminated at a plurality of discrete wavelengths which are absorbed by fatty acid and fatty acid oxidation products in the sample. Measurements of the intensity of reflected or absorbed light at such wavelengths are taken, and a analysis of absorbance ratios for various wavelengths is performed. Changes in the reflection ratios are correlated with the oxidative state of fatty acids present in the material.

Claims