ResourceFood and Beverage
FT-IR & FT-NIR analysis of milk and liquid dairy products
6 Mar 2026This whitepaper provides a comparative overview of FT-IR and FT-NIR spectroscopy for the analysis of milk and liquid dairy products. It explains the fundamental principles of infrared spectroscopy and demonstrates how both techniques are applied for accurate quality control in dairy production. The paper highlights the advantages of FT-NIR, including larger pathlength measurements, reduced need for homogenization, durable quartz flow cells, and the ability to analyze a wide range of dairy samples, from raw milk and cream to whey, yogurt, and infant formula.
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Infrared / IR SpectroscopyInfrared (IR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance & absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Equipment used for quantitative analysis includes Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, infrared cameras, FTIR gas analyzers, as well as attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessories and pellet or film presses. Find the best IR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Near Infrared SpectroscopyNear-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of near-infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance and absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Measurements can be conducted using a Fourier-transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer, while there are also UV-Vis- NIR spectrophotometers that measure a broader spectrum of wavelengths. Find the best NIR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MilkMilk is a dairy product that contains lactose. It is consumed by infant mammals to provide nutrients from the mother. In 2008, the Chinese milk scandal saw the unlawful adulteration of powdered milk with melamine.DairyFood QualityFood quality refers to the attributes of food that influence its safety, nutrition, and taste. Monitoring and ensuring food quality are essential in production to meet health regulations and consumer expectations. Techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and microbial testing are used to assess food properties and detect contaminants. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find food quality testing solutions; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Quality ControlQuality control is needed in all production processes. Quality control is a monitoring procedure or set of procedures that are put in place to ensure that a manufactured product adheres to a defined set of quality criteria. Beverage AnalysisBeverage analysis involves testing and evaluating the composition, quality, and safety of drinks, from alcoholic beverages to soft drinks. Techniques like chromatography and spectroscopy are commonly used to analyze flavors, nutrients, contaminants, and additives. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best beverage analysis tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.SpectroscopySpectroscopy is a technique that analyzes the interaction of light with matter to study molecular properties, concentrations, and structural information. Widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental analysis, spectroscopy offers insights into molecular composition and helps identify unknown compounds. It plays a key role in quality control, research, and diagnostics. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to compare spectroscopy tools, read reviews, and get prices directly from manufacturers.