COMMERCIALIZATION OF NOVEL METAL-PHOSPHATE LUMINESCENT REAGENT FOR MEASURING PEROXIDE VALUE IN EDIBLE FATS & OILS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: ACTIVE
• Funding Source: SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1028780
• Grant No.: 2022-33610-37825
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $649,810.00
• Proposal No.: 2022-04407
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2022
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2025
• Grant Year: 2022
• Program Code: [8.5]- Food Science & Nutrition

Recipient Organization
VERRAGLO, LLC
2029 HEATHER WAY
LEXINGTON,KY 405032639

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Food materials undergo oxidative changes throughout the entire food chain leading to quality deterioration, food waste and enormous economic loss. As a consequence, analytical procedures for quality assurance are employed to monitor oxidation levels. Peroxides are ubiquitous products from the negative impact of organic radicals in foods, thus the monitoring of such molecules is useful to predict the overall quality of the product. The most widely accepted method for measuring hydroperoxides in edible fats and oils is the peroxide value (PV).Collaborators at VerraGlo, LLC and the University of Kentucky have patented foundational technology for metal-phosphate luminophores (MPL) that have peroxidase-like activity and that emit luminescence proportional to the hydroperoxide content of edible fats and oils (r-square values greater than 0.98 using commercially available luminometers). This project will continue to build upon the technological advances made during the SBIR Phase I project by working closely with industrial collaborators, customers and non-profit scientific association to provide a sound and economical basis for replacing the existing iodometric titration method for measuring oxidative degradation (peroxide value) in edible fats and oils.The VerraGlo peroxide value (PV) sensor is composed of structured manganese phosphates salts that exhibits novel luminescent properties during the peroxidase-like reaction with hydroperoxides. Phosphate salts are the primary mineral storage material in most plant materials and thus are safe. MPL sensors can measure the peroxide value in edible fats and oils with the following advantages over the existing iodometric titration method used by a variety of official analytical methods (e.g., AOAC 965.33 and AOCS Ca 8b-90):• Does not use or generate toxic solvents that are expensive to purchase, must be used under a laboratory fume-hood, and that have to be disposed of as hazardous waste• Uses no laboratory glassware, no solvents and no cleanup; the sample vial is disposable• Assays can be conducted with commercially available luminometers• The MPL assay is more sensitive in the lower peroxide value (PV) range where the existing iodometric titration technique has poor sensitivity and poor reproducibility• Cost less than half of the iodometric method and takes less time (about 3 minutes including sample preparation)• Can be easily adapted for use with 0.1 to 1.0 mL of sample per assay.USDA NIFA SBIR Program Priorities specify a connection to agricultural-related manufacturing technology, energy efficiency and alternative and renewable energy (sustainability). The VerraGlo MPL sensor technology will be a key component of sustainable edible fats & oils processing quality by eliminating the toxic solvents used in the currently available assays for peroxide value. The VerraGlo MPL sensor material/assay will also improve monitoring of oxidative conditions of an important agricultural commodity with a more convenient and less expensive technique, thus minimizing waste and improving efficiency.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
501	5010	2000	100%

Knowledge Area
501 - New and Improved Food Processing Technologies;

Subject Of Investigation
5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

business

commercialization

edible fats & oils

luminophore

peroxide value

Goals / Objectives
There are four primary technical objectives of this project. The first is to optimize the peroxide value sensor/excipient composition to perform in a tablet form of the VerraGlo MPL PV sensor material. Since the first MPL peroxide value sensor material was first created in 2017 there have been many changes in composition and manufacturing parameters. These changes influence the coordination of molecular bonds, and have a profound influence on the quantum yield of the MPL sensor. With each change of composition/manufacturing parameter a new standard curve was prepared plotting the luminescence intensity vs AOCS peroxide value by iodometric titration. Standard curves of luminescent emissions from VerraGlo MPL sensor vs. peroxide values of a variety of edible oils (e.g., canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, algae, fish and olive oils) demonstrate r-square values of greater than 0.98. With continued improvements in the MPL sensor's quantum yield, the PV assay has required less and less reagent, to the point the only 3 mg is now required with 0.6 mL of oil. Weighing 3 mg of reagent for each assay is a challenge to commercialization of the technology, and to overcome this challenge a large-scale tableting process will be developed.The second technical objective is to further design the VerraGlo MPL PV sensor assay to optimize performance with solid fats. Fats that are solid at room temperature (e.g., palm oil) make up a significant portion of the edible oil market. As with most analyses, including the iodometric titration for PV, the fat must first be melted. The behavior of the VerraGlo MPL PV sensor at elevated temperatures has been studied extensively prior to and during our SBIR Phase I project. With an increase in temperature, the peroxidase-like reaction of the VerraGlo MPL PV sensor is accelerated due to well established effects of decreasing viscosity and increasing temperature on reaction kinetics.The third technical objective is to conduct shelf-life studies of the MPL PV sensor in tablet form/composition. This important aspect of the commercialization process is primarily an investigation of the packaging process and materials. VerraGlo, LLC has already conducted shelf-life studies of the MPL sensor material which can be stored with no statistically significant change in performance over 12 months. With the implementation of the tableting process with added excipient a new series of shelf-life studies will be conducted to investigate the effect of storage time under a variety of conditions and packaging materials.The fourth technical objective is to obtain AOAC Official Method status for the MPL sensor peroxide value assay. VerraGlo, LLC and its strategic partners will pursue commercialization of the MPL PV sensor via a variety of traditional avenues. To assist with these activities, the MPL PV assay will be evaluated as part of the AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (OMA) program.The OMA program is AOAC International's premier methods program. The AOAC methods approval process includes rigorous, systematic scientific scrutiny to ensure they are highly credible and defensible--and can be used with confidence by industry, regulatory agencies, research organizations, testing laboratories, and academic institutions. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations recognizes OMA methods, and they are legally defensible in court worldwide. AOAC International brings together government, industry, and academia to establish standard methods of analysis that ensure the safety and integrity of foods and other products that impact public health around the world.

Project Methods
This Phase II SBIR project is designed to commercialize the VerraGlo Peroxide Value sensor material and to provide a commercially practical alternative to the existing iodometric titration methods currently available. Examples of "Official methods" currently in use that rely upon iodometric titrations to measure peroxide values (PV) in agricultural products, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals include the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) (official method Cd 8b-90)(AOCS, 1989), Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) 965.33, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 2.501, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 3960:2017 and U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention methods (USP) 401. All these official methods are iodometric titration procedures that have several disadvantages and require the use of flammable and toxic solvents that are expensive to purchase and to dispose of after use. The following is the tentative procedure for using VerraGlo, LLC Peroxide Value assay to measure oxidation levels in edible oils.Proposed AOAC Official Method Protocol for VerraGlo MPL Peroxide ValueTITLE: Peroxide Value: Artificial Peroxidase-Luminescence Method for Fats & OilsDEFINITION: This method determines hydroperoxides in edible oils, expressed as milliequivalents of peroxide per 1000 grams of sample, using a metal-phosphate luminophore (MPL) sensor with peroxidase-like activity. The light emitting MPL material generates luminescence proportional to the hydroperoxide content of oils.SCOPE: The current method is applicable to all edible oils (liquid at 20-25 degrees C) (See note No. 1), but can be adapted to fats & oils at other temperatures.APPARATUS1. A positive displacement pipette capable of accurately measuring up to 0.60 mL of oil2. Luminometer (e.g., Charm Scientific Novalum II-XH) (Lawrence, MA, USA))3. Charm Sciences LUM-T holder (part No. MT-HLDR) and threaded polypropylene tubes, 2 mL4. Vortex mixerREAGENTSLight emitting metal-phosphate luminophore (MPL) sensor material (e.g., VerraGlo formula G7 in tablet form, VerraGlo, LLC, Lexington, KY, USA), (See Notes, 3).SOLUTIONS: REAGENTS - No reagent solutions are required.STANDARDSSOLUTIONS: STANDARDSVerraGlo, LLC can provide customers with two oil "standards" to be used as a two-point calibrate for each luminometer. The peroxide value of edible oils is a notoriously transient value and samples will be stored at -15°C and shipped refrigerated.PROCEDURETest sample preparation -Procedure for oils liquid at 20-25°C:1. Equilibrate liquid oil test samples to 20-25°C.2. Using a positive displacement pipette, rinse with volumes of oil to be tested, then slowly fill pipette with 0.6 mL of oil (at 20-25° C) and inject the oil into the 2 mL polypropylene tube containing the MPL.3. Vortex to disperse MPL in oil sample (ca. 5 seconds).4. Attach the 2 mL polypropylene tube to the Charm Sciences sample holder, and insert the sample into the luminometer. Take a single reading on the luminometer 1.5 minutes after vortex mixing. Record the value from the luminometer.Procedure for palm oil and solid fats liquid at 50°C (TBD):PREPARATION OF THE CALIBRATION CURVE (optional)Carry out iodometric titration and plot the results against triplicate luminescence readings from the VerraGlo PV assay. Figure 1 is an example of a standard curve for liquid oils with 10 mg MPL sensor.CALCULATIONSFor a given oil, take triplicate luminescence readings and calculate the mean peroxide value from the standard curve equation.NUMBERED NOTES1. Peroxidase-like reaction kinetics and corresponding luminescence are affected by temperature; strict temperature control is required for this method's current format.2. VerraGlo MPL sensor technology is protected by U.S. Patents No.10,794,830 & No.10,788,426 .3. Light emissions are affected by changes in water activity of the VerraGlo MPL. If the blue desiccant in the reaction vial has changed from dark blue to light blue or pink, discard vial and contact VerraGlo for a replacement.4. VerraGlo, LLC is currently examining a method modification that will use a tablet form of the PV sensor material. This may result in changes with the use of a tablet directly in the threaded polypropylene tube (Reagents section).Changes in MPL performance (quantum yield at select PV values) will be statistically compared with the starting values using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and considered significant with P≤0.05. Also, to demonstrate the safety of MPL PV sensor material, a Material Safety Data Sheet will be prepared according to OSHA procedures (OSHA, 2022) and provided to potential customers and scientific organizations involved in the testing or use of the MPL PV sensor material.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for the VerraGlo Peroxide Value Assay include producers and processors of edible fats and oils, and companies that use edible fats and oils in their products. Retail suppliers of analytical instrumentation and reagents are also targeted audiences. The "Peroxide Value" is the primary indication of edible oil quality across the food industry. Larger edible oils processors conduct thousands of these assays on the incoming raw material and the finished refined oils. Food processors use the "Peroxide Value" as the primary quality indicator for an ingredient that is often the most expensive and least stable to oxidative degradation in their finished product. Specific Target Audiences during 2024 include Strategic commercialization-marketing partner, industry leaders (including Beta-testing) and presentations/discussions at 2023 & 2024 AOCS meetings. Changes/Problems:These accomplishments during the project's first two years meet or exceed the research/commercialization activities proposed for the project's four primary objectives. The approach toward the fourth technical objective has been altered somewhat but still remains essentially on track. After discussions with VerraGlo's strategic partner, members of the AOCS Uniform Methods Committee, and interaction with AOCS officials at the 2023 and 2024 AOCS annual meeting, our plan is to organize a joint evaluation of the VerraGlo PV-LED Peroxide Value method involving both AOCS and AOAC. The AOAC Official method will proceed as outlined in the project's TABA plan; however, having a concurrent evaluation by the AOCS Uniform Methods Committee will increase exposure to potential customers. TABA funds for the AOAC method evaluation will not be realized until the third year of this project. A no-cost extension of this 2-year project was requested and approved on June 19, 2024. The revised project period is 9/1/23 to 8/31/25. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the first two years of the project there have been two employees at VerraGlo and two employees at our strategic partner that have received various types of training and professional development. The two employees at VerraGlo include the managing director and director of operations. Because this is an SBIR Phase II project the managing director has developed expertise in business contract law (including license agreements, exclusive sales/distribution agreements) business insurance and accounting, federal and state business taxation processes, and employment accounting and taxation processes. These "business manager" type of activities are essential to effectively running a company and adhering to federal, state and regional laws and requirements. On the technical side, employees at VerraGlo and at our strategic partner have learn and developed technology involved in the practical application of a sensitive and advanced technical material. Because of our contractual agreements the flow of ideas and technology have been shared between companies. This process in itself has been a learning opportunity. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Working with our strategic partner, with the appropriate non-disclosure agreements in place, VerraGlo began providing bulk PV-LED reagent to assist with development of tablet excipient compositions, tableting parameters and packaging. This flow of reagent, tablets, packaging materials and instruments back and forth between the two companies has greatly accelerated our R&D and commercialization progress. As a result of these R&D activities "VerraGlo Oil Oxidation Assay, a 2-minute Peroxide Value for Oils and Fats" was presented as part of the "NEW Product Showcases" at the May 2023 AOCS annual meeting. Product demonstrations of the VerraGlo PV-LED assay were also provided at the AOCS annual meeting exhibition hall. Over 50 customer contact leads were obtained as a result of these activities, and established personal contacts with current and past members of AOCS committees and governing board. These talks/demonstrations at the AOCS meetings in 2023 and 2024, and subsequent video conferences with industry leaders, and beta-testing at select companies represent the technical and business progress made toward commercialization of this new PV technology. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Following VerraGlo-Charm Sciences intercompany-testing of tablet prototypes we are currently conducting beta-testing at select companies. Feedback from beta-testing will be evaluated to determine what if any further modification of reagent tableting, packaging and storage are necessary. Then we will organize a joint evaluation of the VerraGlo PV-LED Peroxide Value method involving both AOCS and AOAC. After this stage and any further modifications to the tablet formulations/packaging we hope that a full-scale product launch should follow. VerraGlo will work closely with our strategic partner and customers to provide technical service to assure that the PV-LED assay provides accurate and consistent results. VerraGlo will then need to increase production of the PV-LED reagent during this period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of the most important technical accomplishments has been to provide a cogent and easy to understand description of the VerraGlo Peroxide Value reagent. "What is it" was one questions asked by one of the Phase II proposal's reviewers. In our 2020 patents and in our USDA proposals VerraGlo, LLC used a number of terms to describe the technology including a semiconductor electron-hole pair, manganese exciton and metal-phosphate luminophore. All these structural and mechanistic descriptions are accurate and fundamental to the generation of light from light-emitting diodes. Subsequent findings during the first year of this project have demonstrated that this is indeed the foundational mechanism for the VerraGlo PV reagent. Going forward we will refer to the material used in this assay as the VerraGlo PV-LED reagent (Peroxide Value by Light Emitting Diode). This provides our customers with a familiar and concise name to describe a complex material, and has received favorable acceptance from both VerraGlo's strategic partner and a world-wide industry leader. Working with our strategic partner, with the appropriate non-disclosure agreements in place, VerraGlo began providing bulk PV-LED reagent to assist with development of tablet excipient compositions, tableting parameters and packaging. This flow of reagent, tablets, packaging materials and instruments back and forth between the two companies has greatly accelerated our R&D and commercialization progress. With continued collaborative efforts between our two companies, we have determined the performance and storage characteristics of numerous tableting compositions (including reagent levels, types and amounts of tableting excipients, and variations in tableting parameters), packaging variables, shipping condition requirements, luminometer design and programming luminometer outputs to provide a direct peroxide value readout. To characterize the extent of our intercompany R&D activities VerraGlo, LLC has already provided over $50,000 (on a wholesale basis) of the PV sensor that has been used in our tableting R&D activates with our strategic partner. The resulting tablets have then been evaluated by both companies to refine the reagent tablet composition, assay parameters and storage conditions/shelf-life for use with both edible fats and oils. Because of the light intensity generated with the VerraGlo PV-LED reagent (quantum yield) the current tablet prototypes contain only 2 milligrams of reagent with linear light outputs (r-square greater than 0.98) spanning the PV range of ca. 0.3 to 20. Based on input from industry leaders the primary focus is currently on the PV range of 0-4. The initial lower limit of 0.3 PV for comparing PV-LED light output to edible oil samples only existed because of the limited sensitivity of the AOCS Official Peroxide Value assay. By using olive oil squalane to prepare dilutions of edible oil a lower limit of detection of 0.045 and a lower limit of quantification of 0.15 milliequivilants of peroxide per 1000 grams of edible oil was demonstrated using the VerraGlo PV-LED assay. A similar standard curve was prepared with palm oil at 60C. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of using tableting technology is that dry-blends of the PV-reagent and excipients can be pressed into tablet form with reagent variances of plus/minus 3 percent with tablets being pressed/produced at over a hundred per minute, followed by automated packaging. This type of automated process is essential for making these assay commercially practical. At the beginning of this project VerraGlo was weighting out 4 mg of reagent per vial by hand. The expertise of our strategic partner in the tableting and packaging processes has been very important toward moving this project forward. All these developments apply directly to the accomplishment of the project's first, second and third primary technical objectives, which are on track. The only differences required for solid fats (Objective #2) has been a modified methodology for solid fats using the same tableted PV-LED prototypes designed for use with oils liquid at room temperature. With the addition of a dry heat block and a series of standard curves corresponding to a series of elevated temperatures, this assay for solid fats as performed well. Because of the wide variety of solid fats (different source oils, melting points and blends) these evaluations are ongoing. The elevated light outputs at elevated temperatures have required a separate standard curve and specific programing of the luminometer to provide direct PV readouts.

Publications

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for the VerraGlo Peroxide Value Assay includeproducers and processors of edible fats and oils, and companies that useedible fats and oils in their products. Retail suppliers of analytical instrumentation and reagents are also targeted audiences. The "Peroxide Value" is the primary indication of edible oil quality across the food industry. Larger edible oils processors conduct thousands of these assays on the incoming raw material and the finished refined oils. Food processors use the "Peroxide Value" as the primary quality indicator for an ingredient that is often the most expensive and least stable to oxidative degradation in their finished product. Changes/Problems:These accomplishments during the project's first year meet or exceed the research/commercialization activities proposed for the project's four primary objectives. The approach toward the fourth technical objective has been altered somewhat but still remains essentially on track. After discussions with VerraGlo's strategic partner, members of the AOCS Uniform Methods Committee, and interaction with AOCS officials at the 2023 AOCS annual meeting, our plan is to organize a joint evaluation of the VerraGlo PV-LED Peroxide Value method involving both AOCS and AOAC. The AOAC Official method will proceed as outlined in the project's TABA plan; however, having a concurrent evaluation by the AOCS Uniform Methods Committee will increase exposure to potential customers. The majority of TABA funds for the AOAC method evaluation will not be realized until the second year of this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the first year of the project there have been two employees at VerraGlo and two employees at our strategic partner that have received various types of training and professional development. The two employees at VerraGlo include the managing director and director of operations. Because this is an SBIR Phase II project the managing director has developed expertise in business contract law (including license agreements, exclusive sales/distribution agreements) business insurance and accounting, federal and state business taxation processes, and employment accounting and taxation processes. These "business manager" type of activities are essential to effectively running a company and adhering to federal, state and regional laws and requirements. On the technical side, employees at VerraGlo and at our strategic partner have learn and developed technology involved in the practical application of a sensitive and advanced technical material. Because of our contractual agreements the flow of ideas and technology have been shared between companies. This process in itself has been a learning opportunity. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Working with our strategic partner, and with the appropriate non-disclosure agreements in place, VerraGlo began providing bulk PV-LED reagent to assist with development of tablet excipient compositions, tableting parameters and packaging. This flow of reagent, tablets, packaging materials and instruments back and forth between the two companies has greatly accelerated our R&D and commercialization progress. As a result of these R&D activities "VerraGlo Oil Oxidation Assay, a 2-minute Peroxide Value for Oils and Fats" was presented as part of the "NEW Product Showcases" at the May 2023 AOCS annual meeting. Product demonstrations of the VerraGlo PV-LED assay were also provided at the AOCS annual meeting exhibition hall. Over 50 customer contact leads were obtained as a result of these activities, and established personal contacts with current and past members of AOCS committees and governing board. These talks/demonstrations at the AOCS meeting, and subsequent video conferences with industry leaders, represent the technical and business progress made toward commercialization of this new PV technology. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?After further intercompany-testing of tablet prototypes we expect to conduct beta-testing at select companies. Feedback from beta-testing will be evaluated to determine what if any further modification of reagent tableting, packaging and storage are necessary. Then we will organize a joint evaluation of the VerraGlo PV-LED Peroxide Value method involving both AOCS and AOAC. After this stage and any further modifications to the tablet formulations/packaging we anticipatethat a full-scale product launch willfollow. VerraGlo will work closely with our strategic partner and customers to provide technical service to assure that the PV-LED assay provides accurate and consistent results. VerraGlo may need to further scale-up the PV-LED sensor production process during this period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of the most important technical accomplishments has been to provide a cogent and easy to understand description of the VerraGlo Peroxide Value reagent. "What is it" was one questions asked by one of the Phase II proposal's reviewers. In our 2020 patents and in our USDA proposals VerraGlo, LLC used a number of terms to describe the technology including a semiconductor electron-hole pair, manganese exciton and metal-phosphate luminophore. All these structural and mechanistic descriptions are accurate and fundamental to the generation of light from light-emitting diodes. Subsequent findings during the first year of this project have demonstrated that this is indeed the foundational mechanism for the VerraGlo PV reagent. Going forward we will refer to the material used in this assay as the VerraGlo PV-LED reagent (Peroxide Value by Light Emitting Diode). This provides our customers with a familiar and concise name to describe a complex material, and has received favorable acceptance from both VerraGlo's strategic partner and a world-wide industry leader. Working with our strategic partner, with the appropriate non-disclosure agreements in place, VerraGlo began providing bulk PV-LED reagent to assist with development of tablet excipient compositions, tableting parameters and packaging. This flow of reagent, tablets, packaging materials and instruments back and forth between the two companies has greatly accelerated our R&D and commercialization progress. With continued collaborative efforts between our two companies, we have determined the performance and storage characteristics of numerous tableting compositions (including reagent levels, types and amounts of tableting excipients, and variations in tableting parameters), packaging variables, shipping condition requirements, luminometer design and programming luminometer outputs to provide a direct peroxide value readout. To characterize the extent of our intercompany R&D activities VerraGlo, LLC has already provided over $50,000 (on a wholesale basis) of the PV sensor that has been used in our tableting R&D activates with our strategic partner. The resulting tablets have then been evaluated by both companies to refine the reagent tablet composition, assay parameters and storage conditions/shelf-life for use with both edible fats and oils. Because of the light intensity generated with the VerraGlo PV-LED reagent (quantum yield) the current tablet prototypes contain only 2 milligrams of reagent with linear light outputs (r-square greater than 0.98) spanning the PV range of 0.3 to 20. Based on input from industry leaders the primary focus is currently on the PV range of 0-4. The lower limit of 0.3 PV only exists because this is the lower limit of quantification of the official AOCS/AOAC iodometric PV assay and edible oil samples with PV below PV 0.3 are very difficult to obtain. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of using tableting technology is that dry-blends of the PV-reagent and excipients can be pressed into tablet form with reagent variances of plus/minus 3 percent with tablets being pressed/produced at over a hundred per minute, followed by automated packaging. This type of automated process is essential for making thisassay commercially practical. At the beginning of this project VerraGlo was weighting out 4 mg of reagent per vial by hand. The expertise of our strategic partner in the tableting and packaging processes has been very important toward moving this project forward. All these developments apply directly to the accomplishment of the project's first, second and third primary technical objectives, which are on track. The only differences required for solid fats (Objective #2) has been a modified methodology for solid fats using the same tableted PV-LED prototypes designed for use with oils liquid at room temperature. With the addition of a dry heat block and a series of standard curves corresponding to a series of elevated temperatures, this assay for solid fats has performed well. Because of the wide variety of solid fats (different source oils, melting points and blends) these evaluations are ongoing. The elevated light outputs at elevated temperatures have required a separate standard curve and specific programing of the luminometer to provide direct PV readouts.

Publications