The Zhao Food Chemistry Lab

Facilities

Instrumentation and lab spaces supporting the lab's protein functionality, flavor chemistry, and sensory research.

Agilent 8890 GC system with 5977C mass-selective detector and Gerstel olfactory detection port in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Gas Chromatography–Olfactometry–Mass Spectrometry (GC-O-MS)

Agilent 8890 GC with 5977C MSD and a Gerstel ODP olfactory detection port for aroma-compound separation, identification, and sniff-port analysis.

Shimadzu LC-2060C 3D HPLC system in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Shimadzu LC-2060C 3D integrated HPLC for separation and quantification of non-volatile compounds.

Hitachi L-8900 amino acid analyzer in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Amino Acid Analyzer

Hitachi L-8900. Analyzes amino acid composition of proteins and hydrolysates.

Elementar rapidN EXCEED nitrogen and protein analyzer in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Protein / Nitrogen Analyzer

Elementar rapidN EXCEED. Determines total nitrogen and crude protein by the Dumas combustion method.

Agilent 5800 ICP-OES with autosampler in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Mineral Analyzer (ICP-OES)

Agilent 5800 ICP-OES for multi-element mineral analysis of foods and ingredients.

Stable Micro Systems TA.XTplus texture analyzer in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Texture Analyzer

Stable Micro Systems TA.XTplus. Measures texture and mechanical properties such as hardness, gel strength, and fracturability.

Brookfield AMETEK rotational viscometer in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Rotational Viscometer

Brookfield (AMETEK) rotational viscometer for viscosity measurement of solutions and dispersions.

Beckman Coulter Avanti JXN-26 high-speed centrifuge in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

High-Speed Centrifuge

Beckman Coulter Avanti JXN-26 floor-standing high-speed centrifuge for large-volume and higher-speed separations.

Sorvall RT6000B refrigerated centrifuge in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Refrigerated Centrifuge

Sorvall RT6000B refrigerated benchtop centrifuge.

Eppendorf 5810 R refrigerated benchtop centrifuge in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Benchtop Centrifuge

Eppendorf 5810 R refrigerated benchtop centrifuge.

FOSS Soxtec ST 255 solvent extraction system in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Soxtec Solvent Extraction System

FOSS ST 255. Semi-automated solvent extraction for crude fat, total fat, and extractable matter.

Gerstel TE thermal extractor with C200 controller in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Thermal Extractor

Gerstel TE thermal extractor with C200 controller for releasing volatiles from solid samples ahead of GC-O-MS.

Sample-tube conditioner used for GC-O-MS adsorbent tubes in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Tube Conditioner

Conditions adsorbent sample tubes used for volatile trapping and GC-O-MS analysis.

Harvest Right freeze dryer with vacuum pump in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Freeze Dryer

Harvest Right freeze dryer with vacuum pump for lyophilizing foods, proteins, and other samples.

Benchtop vacuum oven in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Vacuum Oven

Benchtop vacuum oven for low-temperature drying and moisture determination under reduced pressure.

Parr 5000 Multi Reactor System with 4871 process controller in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Parr Multi-Reactor System

Parr 5000 Multi Reactor System with 4871 process controller for parallel stirred, heated pressure reactions.

Radleys carousel reaction station on a Heidolph stirring hotplate in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Reaction Station

Radleys carousel reaction station on a Heidolph Hei-PLATE stirring hotplate for parallel small-scale reactions.

Keshing KS-750F ultrasonic cell disruptor with probe stand in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Ultrasonic Cell Disruptor (Sonicator)

Keshing KS-750F ultrasonic cell disruptor (probe sonicator) for cell disruption, dispersion, and emulsification.

Rotor-stator homogenizer mounted on a stand in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Homogenizer

Rotor-stator homogenizer for particle-size reduction and dispersion of suspensions and emulsions.

VELP Scientifica Multistirrer Digital multi-position magnetic stirrer in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Magnetic Stirrer

VELP Scientifica Multistirrer Digital multi-position magnetic stirrer.

Fisherbrand Isotemp stirring hotplate in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Stirring Hotplate

Fisherbrand Isotemp digital stirring hotplate for heating and mixing.

VWR digital heat block in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Heat Block

VWR Digital Heatblock for temperature-controlled incubation of vials and tubes.

Fisherbrand Isotemp GPD 20 water bath in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Water Bath

Fisherbrand Isotemp GPD 20 water bath for temperature-controlled sample incubation.

Mettler Toledo SevenExcellence multiparameter meter with electrode stand in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

pH / Multiparameter Meter

Mettler Toledo SevenExcellence benchtop meter for pH and related multiparameter measurements.

Tuttnauer 2840EL benchtop autoclave in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Autoclave

Tuttnauer 2840EL benchtop autoclave for steam sterilization of media and labware.

Mettler Toledo ME54E analytical balance in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Analytical Balance

Mettler Toledo ME54E analytical balance (0.1 mg readability) for precise gravimetric measurement.

Eppendorf Research plus micropipettes on a carousel stand in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Pipette Rack

Set of Eppendorf Research plus micropipettes on a carousel stand for accurate liquid handling.

Sensory evaluation booths in PSFA room 428 in the Zhao Food Chemistry Lab.

Sensory Evaluation Booths

Five booths in PSFA 428, each with a sink and serving hatch, plus an adjoining food-prep kitchen (PSFA 424).

Sensory Evaluation Laboratory

The sensory laboratory (PSFA 428) has five booths, each equipped with a sink and a serving hatch. A kitchen / food-preparation room (PSFA 424) on the other side of the serving hatch has refrigerators, freezers, stoves, blenders, and other supplies used to store and prepare food for sensory studies. SDSU maintains a trained sensory panel, and test setup and analysis use RedJade software.

Sensory evaluation test types offered, with their typical use, number of samples, panel, duration, and approximate cost.
Test type Used for Samples Panel Duration Approx. cost
Discrimination
(triangle, duo-trio, paired comparison, TETRAD)		 Quality control 2 20–50 untrained participants 1–2 days $200–400
Descriptive
(QDA, sensory spectrum)		 Product characterization 1–5 6–10 trained panelists 1-2 weeks after completing panel training $1,000-2,000
Preference / consumer Consumer acceptance 1–5 100–200 target consumers 1–2 weeks $1,000-1,500