339 Image analysis of noodles: Comparison of inexpensive and traditional image capture.

D. W. HATCHER and S. J. Symons. Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, 1404-303 Main St. Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3C 3G8.

Previous work from our laboratory has shown the usefulness of image analysis, IA, for characterizing both alkaline and white salted noodles’ changing appearance over time. The traditional means of image capture has been the use of a color CCD camera attached to a macroscope. This system for noodle imaging can easily exceed $40,000. The capture of six different images, each 1.5 × 1.1 cm, allowed examination of a 9.9 cm(^2) noodle area and required approximately 5.5 Mb of computer storage space. The improvement in scanning technology allows a single large image, 4 × 5 cm, twice the area of the traditional alternative to be captured rapidly at moderately high resolution, 800 dpi, for less than $2,000. No increase in computer disk storage was required for the single image. The objective of this work was to utilize existing IA software, which is transportable to numerous instruments, to analyze and characterize the images of noodles prepared from various classes of Canadian wheat using the scanning technology and compare it with corresponding, traditionally captured images. The number of specks, size and the important darkness distribution profiles for each system are presented.