Abstract
A dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus that is small, lightweight, and usable in an ordinary research room was devised for developmental research and quality estimation of foods and agricultural products. The thawing processes of frozen margarine and meats were traced, the distributions of oils in adipose tissue (fat) and water in muscle tissue for pork and beef were distinctively visualised, the oil-accumulating tissues in seeds and the sticky materials on surface of fermented soybeans (natto) were characterised, and the three-dimensional organisation of the fine vasculature in fruits was visualised by the apparatus. The proton-specified MRI was easy to operate and provided well depicted images of internal structures, the distribution and mobility of water and oils, and susceptibility differences inside materials, demonstrating that the devised machine is useful for food and agricultural research.
