ZP FoodSense Weekly Webinar 27 April 2025

A weekly webinar from ZP answering technical questions from the week.

The transcript outlines the use of the Food Sense Generation 4 platform to analyze complex food samples, with a focus on detecting caffeine in spiked coffee. Real-world samples, unlike standard inert solutions, often present challenges due to their composition. For example, discrepancies between expected and actual signal intensities in a client's data indicated lower-than-anticipated caffeine concentrations.

To address these discrepancies, the speaker conducted calibration tests using Red Bull, with known caffeine concentrations. The electrochemical signals measured were consistent with the caffeine concentration, confirming the accuracy and reproducibility of the ZP system. Through analysis, it was determined that the client's issue likely stemmed from a 10x error in preparing their solutions, leading to a significantly lower caffeine concentration than reported. While other complex phenomena, such as caffeine absorption, were considered, the simplest explanation—a preparation error—was deemed most probable.

The platform demonstrated its reliability in accurately reflecting caffeine concentrations, making it a valuable tool for food analysis. The discussion highlighted the importance of careful sample preparation and the system’s capacity to uncover errors effectively. While Food Sense Generation 4 offers light support for clients, more intricate challenges involving unique sample types may necessitate consulting services. This ensures comprehensive assistance for diverse analytical needs.