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expert in the art, science, and control of food service and industrial frying oils, and their
applications. Developed a new understanding / paradigm, of significant economic importance, of
the physical chemistry of how foods cook in oils.
Invented and patented internationally a novel solventless chemistry rapid testing technology.
Developed initial applications of the technology in the use of a quick, simple, safe, cost-effective
and environmentally "green" reagent-gel delivery system that has now been commercialized to
permit either, in-lab, at-line, or in-field quick testing for real-time process control to optimize food
quality, safety, and production economics. This technology can also be used safely and
economically in educational institutions to teach descriptive chemistry, and in R&D/process &
product development laboratories to make instant measurements to obtain information
immediately on the progress of the work.
Acts in both executive management capacity and as scientific / research program director,
mentoring numerous scientists, both staff and visiting investigators. Consults for many industrial
concerns, government agencies, and academic and research institutions worldwide. Wrote and
commercialized the first Project Management software with graphics, for microcomputers (1978)
and the first project-oriented LIMS (lab information management system) software, to schedule,
plan, and control lab resources and workload, featuring classical Gantt charting to track progress
along with data (1982). Founded Gantt Systems, Inc. in 1984 to further commercialize the
software products. Evolved Libra Laboratories, Inc. (1979) into Libra Technical Center, a
world-class research / analytical lab which also develops new applications for the solventless
chemistry technology, and other products; and Test Kit Technologies, Inc. (1994), which
commercializes the technology, and manufactures and markets Libra's quick test kits and
industrial testing products internationally.
Dr. Blumenthal is widely sought out as a lecturer and interviewee, and a lead feature article in the
August 29, 1996 Los Angeles Times describes his work in the area of greater understanding for
control of the very-widely used frying process and its complex chemistry. This is just one
example; he has been on radio and television on a number of occasions. He is invited to lecture
and teach all over the world, and has done so in Europe and Asia, especially. He is widely
published in both the scholarly and the trade literature, where practitioners at many levels and in
many organizations can benefit from the application of his discoveries and insights.
Dr. Blumenthal conceived and designed a popular Short Course, for continuing education of food
science professionals, called "Deep-Fat Frying: Theory and Practice", which includes all aspects
of this $75 billion-a-year (U.S. alone) industry. This course has been taught since 1989 at the
University of California, Davis, Rutgers University, and other locations and has now been adopted
by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the American Association of Cereal Chemists
(AACC) for regular presentation by others. Dr. Blumenthal is now presenting independently a
"Master Class on Frying Science and Technology" for international instruction at an advanced
level. He is frequently invited to be a peer reviewer of journal articles, government grant
proposals, and other prospective publications. He is the invited author of the chapter on Frying
Technology in the highly regarded book, Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products,
5
th
Edition. He is
in the process of writing, in connection with distinguished U.S. and foreign colleagues, a definitive
electronic book on the science and technology of deep-fat frying, fried food quality, and safety /
assurance through proper measurement and control practices.
Major non-professional
interests:
Sherlock Holmes; model railroading and railroad history: microcomputers and their applications at
a very advanced level; techniques of sculpture and painting of the 19
th
century; archaeology and
anthropology; “hard” science fiction, space travel / colonization; martial arts, and his grandkids.
AOAC OMB Teleconference Materials
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