Prediction of syneresis in yogurt by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and image analysis

A detailed understanding of the microstructure in yogurt is essential in order to elucidate the reasons for syneresis. In this study the microstructure of different yogurts is examined by means of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). In order to quantify the information in the CLSM micrographs, two image analysis methods are applied. The most promising method has turned out to be the Angle Measure Technique (AMT), which converts CLSM micrographs to complexity spectra. These are very suitable for a multivariate data analysis (MVDA). This study has resulted in a prediction model, which makes it possible to predict the extent of syneresis in 14 days old yogurts based on measurements on fresh samples.