Particle size distributions following chewing: Transformation of two-dimensional outcome from optical scanning to volume outcome from sieving

Following chewing, the particle size distribution (PSD) by cumulative volume is characterized by X50, and b. Volume data are lacking when using less time-consuming optical scanning instead of sieving for characterizing PSDs. The aim was to transform 2D scanning data to 3D ones. Optosil® and almond were used as artificial and real solid foods, and minimal Feret-diameter (min-FD) as a measure of particle size. Border min-FDs were calibrated as a function of sieve aperture to determine size classes. Flakes produced by chewing were considered as ellipsoids. The ratio between the largest and the intermediate ellipsoid's radius was known by scanning. The ratio between the smallest and the intermediate radius was adjusted with Solver of Excel® to minimize the difference between the estimated total volume of the particles, and the known total volume. Estimated values of X50 and b from scanning closely approached those from sieving, the ‘gold standard’.