METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FAT CONTENT IN ANIMAL TISSUE EITHER IN VIVO OR IN SLAUGHTERED AND PREPARED FORM

摘要

A method is presented and apparatus disclosed which permits very accurate measurement of the fat-to-lean ratio of meat, whether in vivo or in prepared form. The animal or meat package to be analyzed is subjected to a varying electromagnetic field generated by applying a radio frequency signal to a solenoidal coil through which the sample passes longitudinally. Because of difference of electroconductivity and dielectric properties between various body components, the load observed by the source which drives the solenoidal coil takes on a different value from that of the empty sample zone. By utilizing other predetermined parameters of the sample, the load difference may be utilized to infer the fat-to-lean ratio to a commercially acceptable standard.