What chromaticity indicators can be measured by tomato spectrophotometer PS808CT?

Tomato Paste

Portable spectrophotometer YS4580 and benchtop colorimeter TS8450, two color testing instruments dedicated to tomato paste, adopt advanced HunterLab testing methodology. They can measure color values and color ratios of tomato juice, tomato paste, tomato puree and tomato seasonings.

Quality inspection of tomatoes and tomato products involves a wide range of exclusive color parameters, such as the a/b ratio and Fresh Tomato Color Index (FTCI). The PS808CT tomato spectrophotometer delivers precise testing for all these indicators. This article introduces the PS808CT tomato spectrophotometer and the full spectrum of tomato color metrics it can measure.

Color Control Solutions for Tomato Paste Manufacturers

The instruments test color values, color ratios and granulation levels, as well as lycopene content, so as to guarantee color fidelity during the final canning process of tomato paste.

Measuring Color Values and Ratios of Tomato Paste with Color Difference Meters

From fresh tomatoes on farms to fine grinding in processing plants, and final blending on bottling lines, consistent color for every bottle of tomato paste is critical. Tomato paste production balances innovation and tradition. Manufacturers pursue rich taste and distinctive flavors while striving to perfectly retain natural, appetizing hues to deliver dual visual and gustatory satisfaction to consumers. Nevertheless, high-precision colorimeters colorimeter.com are indispensable for precise measurement to achieve uniform color from raw materials to finished goods.

Professional tomato paste colorimeters accurately capture and quantify color values and ratios, namely chroma and lightness differences, ensuring every production batch meets ideal visual standards. Through detailed color analysis of tomato paste, this measuring equipment helps manufacturers adjust formulas or processes in a timely manner during production to prevent quality fluctuations caused by color deviations. Color management solutions offered by leading brands including 3nh (ThreeNH) and HunterLab run through the entire tomato paste production chain from raw material screening to finished product packaging. They maintain consistent and stable color performance, reduce customer complaints related to color inconsistency, boost brand reputation, streamline production workflows and enable efficient color management.

Introduction to the PS808CT Tomato Spectrophotometer

Custom-developed by 3nh for the entire tomato industrial chain, the benchtop PS808CT tomato spectrophotometer is equipped with a food-grade Φ50mm extra-large measuring aperture and standard 45/0 optical geometry. It is perfectly compatible with granular, thick and heterogeneous samples including fresh whole tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato puree and tomato juice. The large-area sampling design drastically reduces test deviations caused by fruit pulp particles and air bubbles, delivering results highly consistent with human visual judgment.

The instrument adopts a full-spectrum spectral sensing system covering wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm, achieving outstanding laboratory-grade precision: color difference repeatability ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03 and inter-instrument deviation controlled within 0.35. A single measurement takes only 1 second, and the built-in touch display intuitively presents spectral curves, chromaticity values and color difference comparison results.

Preloaded with a complete set of proprietary tomato color calculation algorithms, the device directly outputs core industry evaluation metrics without manual conversion: a/b ratio, Fresh Tomato Color Index (FTCI), Lycopene Index, as well as dedicated scoring systems TPS, TSS, TCS and TJS for tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato condiments and tomato juice respectively. It fulfills one-stop quality grading and testing requirements across all links, including tomato planting & harvesting, processing and laboratory R&D.

Customized 3nh Solutions for Tomato Paste Manufacturers

1. Raise the initial color matching rate of tomato paste by 45% and cut color adjustment iterations in half.
2. Secure uniform color performance across batches and production lines throughout the full workflow covering raw material selection, formula development and filling processes.
3. Accelerate color inspection speed by 50% at the end of production lines to detect and rectify color deviation issues promptly.
4. Rapidly meet market demands for innovative flavors and appearances by developing new formulas with vivid, stable color tones.
5. Achieve harmonious color coordination among tomato paste, bottle labels and packaging boxes to enhance overall visual appeal of products.
6. Integrate color measurement data to facilitate in-depth quality control and production efficiency evaluation.

Tomato Color Measurement Indicators

What Color Parameters Can the PS808CT Tomato Spectrophotometer Detect?

The PS808CT is embedded with a full set of custom color calculation models tailored for the tomato industry. It instantly generates complete quality parameters with one tap upon startup, eliminating manual formula conversion. Directly output core metrics including the a/b ratio, Fresh Tomato Color Index (FTCI), TPS, TSS, TCS, TJS and Lycopene Index. It supports full-process quality grading and testing for tomato planting, processing and laboratory development, converting subjective visual color assessment into standardized digital control to maintain consistent bright red appearance and stable lycopene content across finished batches.

1. a/b Ratio

The core indicator for judging tomato ripeness, calculated by dividing the red-green chromaticity value a by the yellow-blue chromaticity value b. A higher value indicates deeper red color and greater ripeness. It distinguishes unripe green, half-ripe, fully ripe and overripe tomatoes, and is applied in picking grading and monitoring color fading during shelf storage.

• TPS (Tomato Paste Score Index)

 A dedicated color scoring metric for tomato puree, raw tomato pulp and concentrated tomato paste. It simulates industry sensory evaluation based on spectral color data to assess the purity of tomato paste color and the stability of manufacturing processes, controlling raw material quality and batch-to-batch color consistency of finished products.

• TSS (Tomato Sauce Score Index)

A color evaluation index exclusively for tomato sauce, matching the red-orange hue of blended sauce formulations. It rapidly verifies whether sauce color meets specifications and identifies batch color discrepancies, replacing manual sensory tasting for efficient industrial quality inspection.

• TCS (Tomato Condiment Score Index)

A specialized chromaticity indicator for seasoned tomato sauces and compound tomato condiments, adapted to mixed hues after auxiliary ingredients are added. It serves for in-process production monitoring and finished factory inspection, standardizing color benchmarks for condiments of different recipes to guarantee uniform visual appearance.

• TJS (Tomato Juice Score Index)

 A color scoring system designed for raw and concentrated tomato juice, compatible with both transparent and turbid visual characteristics of liquid tomato products. It detects color shifts before and after concentration and sterilization processes, evaluating raw material freshness and processing quality.

• FTCI (Fresh Tomato Color Index)

A hue evaluation index customized for intact fresh tomatoes, computed through a composite algorithm integrating lightness, redness and yellowness. It enables standardized grading of fresh tomato appearance, unifying color judgment criteria for farm collection, supermarket acceptance and origin sorting to eliminate subjective errors from naked-eye assessment.

• Lycopene Index

The instrument calculates a relative lycopene content index indirectly via algorithms based on visible light spectral reflectance data. It enables non-destructive, rapid lycopene testing for fresh tomatoes and processed products without complex chemical extraction experiments, supporting crop breeding research, ripeness analysis and preliminary nutritional value screening.

Compliance with National Standards & Test Methods for Tomato Paste Color Inspection

Issued on August 20, 2021, the new General Rules for Canned Tomato Paste officially took effect, superseding the old standard GB/T 14215-2008 Canned Tomato Paste. Formulated with reference to CODEX STAN 57–2013 Processed Concentrated Tomatoes established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the new standard specifies color value and color ratio as core indicators to characterize the color of tomato products. Under stricter regulatory enforcement, more stringent requirements have been imposed on full links of canned tomato paste production, including quality inspection, product development and color control.

3nh Tomato Paste Spectrophotometer PS808CT FAQ

Q1: What tomato-specific color indices can the PS808CT measure?

A1: The instrument is pre-installed with full sets of proprietary tomato color calculation algorithms, which can directly output one-click test results without manual formula conversion, including:

1. a/b Ratio: Core indicator to judge tomato ripeness
2. FTCI (Fresh Tomato Color Index): Special index for whole fresh tomatoes
3. TPS (Tomato Paste Score): Scoring standard for tomato puree & concentrated paste
4. TSS (Tomato Sauce Score): Color evaluation index for plain tomato sauce
5. TCS (Tomato Catsup Score): Dedicated index for compound seasoned tomato condiments
6. TJS (Tomato Juice Score): Evaluation metric for raw & concentrated tomato juice
7. Lycopene Index: Relative lycopene content indicator via spectral reflection algorithm It also supports standard Lab*, Hunter Lab, spectral reflectance curve and ΔE color difference calculation, fully meeting quality grading demands across tomato planting, harvesting, food processing and laboratory R&D.

PS808CT Test Screen

7 Core Tomato Indicators

Q2: Why adopt Φ50mm large food-grade measuring aperture for tomato samples?

A2: Tomato products feature uneven particles, pulp lumps and air bubbles, which cause volatile readings with small-aperture devices. The Φ50mm super-large measuring window covers a much wider sample surface in a single test, automatically averaging color deviations caused by inconsistent particle distribution, bubbles and pulp textures. It delivers stable, representative data for granular fresh tomatoes, thick paste, muddy sauce and liquid tomato juice, and its test results match human visual judgment perfectly.

Q3: What optical structure and precision does PS808CT adopt?

A3:

1. Optical geometry: Standard 45/0 annular uniform illumination & 0° receiving design, fully consistent with human eye visual characteristics, effectively eliminating interference from sample gloss and surface textures.
2. Spectral range: 400–700nm full visible band grating spectrum collection, capturing complete sample spectral information without blind spots.
3. Laboratory-level precision:
   1. Color difference repeatability ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03
   1. Inter-instrument deviation ≤ 0.35 This ensures unified color data communication between domestic production lines, outsourced factories and overseas suppliers.

Q4: How fast is a single measurement? Does it support mass batch inspection?

A4: One full measurement takes only about 1 second. It supports single-point testing and 2–99 times average measurement mode to further reduce errors of heterogeneous tomato samples. Local storage capacity includes 1,000 standard color templates and 30,000 test records, satisfying long-term data archiving, traceability and full-batch inspection for large-scale tomato processing factories.

Q5: What tomato sample forms can PS808CT test?

A5: It covers all forms of tomato raw materials and finished products in the whole industrial chain:

• Fresh agriculture: Whole fresh tomatoes for harvest grading, ripeness sorting
• Semi-finished processing: Tomato puree, raw pulp, concentrated tomato paste
• Liquid products: Raw tomato juice, concentrated tomato juice
• Finished condiments: Tomato sauce, compound tomato catsup, seasoning tomato paste It matches the testing requirements of raw material incoming inspection, mid-process monitoring and finished product factory inspection.

Q6: What’s the function of Lycopene Index? Is chemical extraction required?

A6: The Lycopene Index indirectly calculates the relative lycopene content through the visible light spectral reflection algorithm of tomato samples. It realizes non-destructive rapid testing without complicated chemical extraction, solvent and laboratory pretreatment. It can be used for tomato variety breeding, ripeness analysis, preliminary nutritional value screening and monitoring lycopene loss during high-temperature sterilization & concentration.

Q7: Can PS808CT comply with national and international tomato testing standards?

A7: Yes. It supports the new national standard General Rules for Canned Tomato Paste implemented in 2021 (replaced GB/T 14215-2008), and refers to CODEX STAN 57–2013 Processed Concentrated Tomatoes from CAC. All built-in tomato scoring systems (TPS/TSS/TCS/TJS/FTCI/a/b ratio) align with USDA international tomato processing evaluation standards, suitable for both domestic sales and export product quality inspection.

Q8: How to operate the instrument for tomato paste testing?

A8: Standard 3-step testing process:

1. Sample preparation: Stir tomato paste evenly, fill into the matched culture dish, shake gently to eliminate air bubbles, then place the dish tightly against the measuring window.
2. Calibration: Complete white tile & black cavity calibration before daily batch testing; calibrate again if temperature/humidity changes drastically or data appears abnormal.
3. One-click measurement: Select “Tomato Index” mode on the 7-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, tap the test button. The screen instantly displays spectral curves, Lab* values, all 7 tomato-specific indices and PASS/FAIL color difference judgment results without external auxiliary equipment.

Q9: Does it support data export and factory digital quality management?

A9: Equipped with matched professional QC software. It supports one-click batch data export, multi-dimensional data analysis, customizable official inspection report generation, USB/Bluetooth data transmission, helping tomato manufacturers build a full digital color quality control system covering raw material screening, formula R&D and finished product delivery.

Q10: What are the main differences between benchtop PS808CT and portable YS4580 tomato colorimeter?

A10:

1. PS808CT (Benchtop): Φ50mm ultra-large aperture, higher laboratory-grade precision, larger touch screen, big storage capacity, suitable for fixed laboratory, production line end formal inspection and R&D laboratory long-term testing.
2. YS4580 (Portable): Compact handheld design, Φ20mm medium aperture, convenient for field on-site sampling inspection in tomato farms, raw material warehouse random spot checks and mobile batch sorting. Both two models embed the complete set of tomato professional color index algorithms.

Q11: How can this instrument solve the pain point of subjective manual color judgment in tomato factories?

A11: Traditional manual evaluation relies on inspectors’ naked eyes, and judgment results vary by person, lighting and viewing angle, leading to unstable batch color, customer complaints and rework waste. PS808CT converts subjective visual experience into traceable, unified digital indicators. All production links reference the same numerical benchmark, raising the initial color matching rate by 45%, cutting color adjustment frequency in half, accelerating online inspection speed by 50%, and effectively improving brand reputation by eliminating batch color inconsistency.

Q12: What daily maintenance and calibration rules are required?

A12:

1. Calibration: Mandatory white-black calibration upon first startup, after long standby or drastic ambient temperature shifts; weekly regular calibration is recommended to sustain stable accuracy.
2. Cleaning: Wipe the measuring window and matched culture dish with soft lint-free cloth after each test to remove residual tomato paste, pulp and oil stains, preventing aperture contamination from causing data deviation.
3. Environment: Place the instrument on a stable, vibration-free workbench; operating temperature range: -10℃ ~ 40℃, relative humidity 0%–85% non-condensing; avoid direct strong light irradiation on the measuring window.
4. Storage: If idle for more than one month, cut off the power supply and store in a cool, dry dustproof environment.

Q13: What after-sales and technical support does 3nh provide for tomato industry clients?

A13: As a professional color testing instrument manufacturer founded in 1998, 3nh provides full lifecycle support for tomato processing customers:

1. Free sample color testing service before purchasing
2. On-site operation training for staff, customized tomato industry testing SOP guidance
3. Long-term hardware maintenance and free software version upgrade

One-stop color management solution design for tomato planting, processing and packaging matching (unify color standards for paste, bottle labels and outer cartons) Our brand portfolio includes 3nh, TILO and Sine Image, with mature food color control solutions supplied to global tomato manufacturers.