Abstract
Micro Slicer Spectral Imaging System (MSSIS) has been applied to observe the three-dimensional(3-D) structure and distribution of ice crystals formed in biological materials. MSSIS is composed of a micro-slicer, near-infrared (NIR) illuminator and spectral imaging system. NIR Spectroscopic analysis using MSSIS confirmed that there are a water absorption band around 965 nm and an ice absorption band around 1025 nm. Spectroscopic images of a frozen agar gel and a piece of raw beef at 1,025 nm were obtained by the MSSIS. These images showed the ice crystals could be clearly distinguished from the other components by the different absorbance. The average area of ice crystals was 6,253 μm2, and the average distances of major and minor axis were 111μm and 62μm respectively. In addition, the 3-D re-constructed image of the ice crystal morphology revealed that they were formed along with the direction of heat transfer. The proposed method provided a novel tool to investigate the effects of freezing conditions on the size, morphology and distribution of ice crystals.
