Milk Cryoscope CryoTouch 1 by Astori

Overview

The Astori CryoTouch 1 Milk Cryoscope is a precision freezing point depression instrument engineered for the quantitative detection of added water in raw bovine milk—a critical quality control parameter in dairy supply chains. It operates on the thermodynamic principle that the presence of dissolved solutes (e.g., lactose, salts, minerals) lowers the freezing point of milk relative to pure water; adulteration with water elevates the freezing point toward 0.000 °C. By measuring this depression with high-resolution thermometry and controlled nucleation kinetics, the CryoTouch 1 calculates both the absolute freezing point (in °C or °H) and the estimated percentage of added water—enabling rapid, non-destructive verification of milk authenticity per internationally recognized protocols.

Key Features

• 7-inch full-color capacitive touchscreen interface with real-time visualization of freezing curve dynamics—including supercooling onset, ice nucleation, crystallization plateau, and final equilibrium temperature.
• High-stability Peltier-based cooling system with active temperature regulation, ensuring consistent thermal conditions across ambient environments from +5 °C to +36 °C.
• Optimized single-sample measurement chamber with low-profile sensor head for minimal thermal mass and accelerated thermal equilibration.
• Onboard data storage capacity exceeding 4,000 test records, each timestamped and tagged with operator ID, sample ID, and environmental metadata.
• Integrated diagnostic engine delivering immediate visual alerts for anomalies such as insufficient sample volume, excessive air bubbles, or abnormal crystallization profiles.
• Comprehensive calibration suite including certified reference standards at −0.512 °C, −0.408 °C, and −0.600 °C—traceable to national metrological institutes.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CryoTouch 1 is validated exclusively for raw bovine milk (whole, skimmed, or standardized), with method performance verified under ISO/IDF 5764:2009 and AFNOR NF V04-105. It fully satisfies the technical requirements of Chinese national standard GB 5413.38–2010 for determination of freezing point in infant formula and liquid milk products. Instrument validation documentation—including uncertainty budgets, linearity assessment, and intermediate precision studies—is available upon request to support GLP-compliant laboratory audits. All hardware and firmware meet CE marking requirements for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU).

Software & Data Management

A dedicated Windows-based PC software package enables bidirectional communication via USB or RS-232, supporting batch export of raw thermograms, statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV%), trend analysis over time, and customizable report generation (PDF/CSV). Audit trail functionality logs all user actions—including method modifications, calibration events, and result overrides—with timestamps and operator credentials. The software supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant configurations when deployed with electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable record archiving—facilitating regulatory submissions to FDA, EFSA, or local food safety authorities.

Applications

• Routine screening of bulk tank milk at collection centers to detect intentional dilution prior to processing.
• Verification of milk composition integrity during receipt inspection at dairy plants and UHT facilities.
• Supporting forensic investigations into suspected adulteration incidents under national food fraud mitigation frameworks.
• Method transfer and inter-laboratory comparison studies requiring traceable, reproducible cryoscopic data.
• Integration into automated QC workflows via serial command protocol (SCPI-like syntax) for LIMS connectivity.

FAQ

What is the minimum required sample volume for reliable measurement?
A minimum of 2.0 mL of homogenized, degassed raw milk is required; optimal performance is achieved with 2.5 mL to ensure full immersion of the sensing element.
Does the instrument require daily recalibration?
No—daily verification using the −0.512 °C reference standard is recommended, but full multi-point calibration is only required after maintenance, relocation, or if performance verification fails.
Can the CryoTouch 1 be used for goat or buffalo milk?
It is not validated for non-bovine species; freezing point baselines and water addition calculations differ significantly due to variations in lactose and mineral content.
Is the thermal printer mandatory for compliance?
No—the EP-50 thermal printer is optional; digital records maintained in the onboard memory or exported via software satisfy traceability requirements when properly archived.
How does the instrument handle samples with high somatic cell count or abnormal fat content?
Elevated SCC (>1 million/mL) or extreme fat variation (>0.5% deviation from herd average) may affect supercooling behavior; such samples should be flagged for secondary confirmation using orthogonal methods (e.g., lactometer + conductivity).