Chocolate: Surface Control and Bloom Prediction

Project to be carried out at YKI, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background
Chocolate is a relatively expensive food. Therefore its quality is very important for a potential consumer. Damage to the surface leads to a loss of desirability of the product. Damage can arise from the growth of grey bloom on the surface. This can be caused by the recrystallization of fat or sugar. This grows quite slowly during the storage of chocolate and so it can take a long time for it to become apparent.

Project
At YKI we have very good techniques that allow us to image and measure surfaces. In particular an optical microscopy technique called Profilometry as well as Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. We have applied these to many different chocolate systems. With these we can see small changes that are invisible to the naked eye.

The aim of this project will be to study the changes on chocolate surfaces before they bloom. We will then analyze the changes that we see and create models that can allow us to predict bloom formation. This will allow the chocolate industry to predict bloom at an early stage and so be of great industrial benefit. We also plan to write a scientific paper about bloom prediction.

Requirements
Program in chemical or food technologies
Courses in modelling are a merit.
Start: Spring term 2007. 20 credit points.

To apply/for further information
Contact Paul Smith, YKI
Tel: +46 8 5010 6085
[email protected]


YKI, Institute for Surface Chemistry, is the internationally leading industrial research institute in applied surface and colloid chemistry. YKI’s clients come from many industrial sectors e.g. materials, industrial chemicals, household and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, coatings, paint, engineering, paper, print and packaging. The business model of YKI is to understand the needs of our clients and use surface chemistry to solve industrial problems and provide the basis for new products and processes. YKI is part of the SP Group. YKI is located in a research-intensive area on the campus of the technical university (KTH) in Stockholm. See www.yki.se for further information.