3M LRSM Technical Data Manual

Low Range Shortening Monitor

LRSM

Technical Data TD 250

Date : Nov 2005

Supersedes : April 2004

Author : EK/CB

Introduction :

Shortening continually
breaks down through normal
use. This process is charac­terized by a modification of
the structure of the constitu­ent molecules (Triglyc­erides). The by-products that
are formed are mainly Polar
Compounds, among others
are Free Fatty Acids
(F.F.A.). The 3M Low
Range Shortening Monitor
utilizes the free fatty acid
concentration as an indicator
to the degree of shortening
breakdown.

Product Description :
A test is a stiff white paper strip
(0,7 x 9.5 cm), having near one
end of the strip, four blue bands
across its width. A red line will
differentiate the Low Range
Shortening Monitor from Stan­dard Shortening Monitor.

Packaging :

• Per 200

20 tests strips/plastic tube
1 plastic tube/box
10 boxes/case
(i.e. 200 strips/case)

or

• Per 200

50 tests strips/plastic tube
4 plastic tubes/case
(i.e. 200 strips/case)

Product Use :

The 3M LRSM strip is dipped
into shortening at operating
temperature. By simply count­ing the number of yellow
bands, the stage of shortening
breakdown is indirectly deter­mined.
As shortening breaks down, the
free fatty acid concentration
increases, causing a greater
number of bands on the 3M
LRSM strip to change color. A
blue band will change com­pletely to yellow at a specific
free fatty acid concentration
(see diagram).

FFA >

FFA >

FFA >

2,5 %

2,0 %

1,5 %

FFA > 1,0 %

Applications :

The product can be used in all
types of frying oils and fats
(animal, vegetable, and blends)
and fryers, provided the test is
done at operating temperature
(between 160°C and 185°C).

Product advantages :

• Easy to use : no need for

skilled people.

• Quick : immediate results.

Determination is made 30
seconds after dipping the
test strip into shortening.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
3M B&CS Laboratory Europe Page 1 / 2

3M France Customer Application Center
Avenue Boulé PO box 28
F-95250 Beauchamp (France)

Low Range Shortening Monitor

LRSM

Technical Data TD 250

Date : Nov 2005

Supersedes : April 2004

Author : EK/CB

Objective : results are inde-

•

pendent from people who
are doing the test.

• Hygienic : the test strip will

not contaminate the shorten­ing.

• Accurate : the test provides

a specific discard point and
will minimize shortening
underuse and optimize fried
food quality (no overuse of
shortening).

• Safe : once the discard point

is set, the test will help the
user make sure that local
regulation is not infringed

Instructions for use :

1. Open the bottle and remove

one test strip.

2. Tightly close the tube with

unused strips.

3. Hold test strip by longest

white end (top, with red
line)

4. Dip the test strip into the

shortening so that all blue
bands are submerged during
1-2 seconds.

5. Remove and allow excess

shortening to drain back into
the vat (5 seconds)

6. After 30 seconds, read the

test strip by counting the
number of bands that have
completely or mostly
changed from blue to yel­low. The reading is even

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3M B&CS Laboratory Europe Page 2 / 2

3M France Customer Application Center
Avenue Boulé PO box 28
F-95250 Beauchamp (France)

easier if the test strip is
looked at when facing a
light source.

7. Based on this count, con-

tinue to use or discard short­ening according to prede­termined discard point.

8. Discard used test strip after

reading.

9. Use a new strip for each vat.

Storage conditions :
IMPORTANT : store the test

strips in their closed tube at 4°
C or cooler. Cold storage can
result in a light discoloration of
the low side reactive bands
(may turn to light blue color
with light green shading). This
discoloration is not detrimental
to the product quality and the
bands will turn back to the ini­tial blue color after some time
at room temperature.

Setting discard point :
Each customer should deter­mine their own discard point
depending on type of shorten­ing, type of food, local regula­tions, habits…

Testing frequency :
Each vat should be tested daily.
The rate of which F.F.A is pro­duced will depend on many
factors, including type and

quantity of food fried, type of
shortening used, frying tem­perature, seasonal weather
change and amount of moisture
of food. The rate will not be
constant from day to day if any
of these factors change.

Shelf life :
Low range Shortening Monitor
strips should be used by expira­tion date (printed on bottles,
cartons and case).

Caution :
Test strip will only measure
F.F.A concentration. 3M B&CS
Laboratory located in
Beauchamp (France) should be
consulted for the measurement
of other products resulting from
shortening breakdown (esp.
Polar Compounds).