Training on Particle Size Analyzer set March 19 at Food Science Building
By John Lovett – Mar. 10, 2025
Ubeyitogullari loads a supercritical carbon dioxide particle formation unit to create nanoscale plant protein particles as part of his research. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new particle size analyzer, which is useful in many scientific disciplines, has been acquired by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.
A publicly available training session on the Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra particle size analyzer will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on March 19 at the Food Science Building to assist public industries and university researchers.
The Food Science Building is located at 2650 N. Young Ave., in Fayetteville. Two engineers from the machine’s manufacturer, Malvern Panalytical, will attend for the training and provide an instrument overview and best practices.
“In food science research, particle size dictates functionality, solubility, flowability, texture, reactivity, flavor, color, mouthfeel, and bioavailability, and in turn, affects the formulation, processing, and quality of food products,” said Ali Ubeyitogullari, assistant professor of food engineering for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
In agriculture, particle size plays a critical role in soil texture, water management, fertilizer and pesticide applications, he added. Particle size is also important in environmental sciences related to air quality for humans and livestock, water quality and soil contamination.
“For example, you look at particles in water and these days we talk a lot about microplastics, so this could measure those,” Ubeyitogullari said. “It also relates to soil health and texture and could be used to measure fertilizers to see how they will dissolve in soil. There are a lot of applications for this machine.”
Ubeyitogullari said an attachment was also purchased for the machine to measure particle shape.
The Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra is Malvern Panalytical’s most advanced system for particle size and size distribution, the company states. This model measures the widest size range – 0.01 to 3,500 microns.
As a food engineer, Ubeyitogullari conducts research in the Department of Food Science and Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the System Division of Agriculture.
To register for the March 19 training session, please email Ubeyitogullari at uali@uark.edu.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on 𝕏 at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on 𝕏 at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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