NMR-a powerful tool for industrial process control and quality assurance

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MR) technology has been used in analytical chemistry laboratories for several decades to analyze complex chemical compounds and bio-molecules, including foods and food constituents ("NMR Spectroscopy"), as well as in hospitals for clinical diagnosis ("Magnetic Resonance Imaging", or MRI). More recently, simple "desktop" MR instruments have become available to food processors and other manufacturers for certain laboratory-based quality assurance measurements. In this article we will explore the benefits of on-line MR in manufacturing industries, for the real-time analysis of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.