Theoretical Study of the Effect of Multi-Diameter Distribution on the Mie Scattering Characteristics of Milk Fat

To correct the light scattering property parameters of milk fat for improving the detection accuracy,the Mie-theory was used to establish a predictive model for light scattering properties of milk fat globule with multi-diameter distributions, by means of Monte Carlo approach to simulate actual multi-diameter size distribution of milk fat globule in milk fat solution. Scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient of multi-diameter distribution milk fat particles were calculated by simulating the particles size distribution in milk fat solution. And the light scattering properties of multi-diameter distribution was compared with that of volume mean diameter, Sauter mean diameter and numerical mean diameter in milk fat solution. Theoretical simulation results indicate that the scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient of milk fat particles are determined by the particle size distribution in milk fat solution. There is a distinct difference in scattering characteristics between the milk fat particles with multi-diameter distribution and that with mean diameters. Compared to that with multi-diameter distribution, the scattering coefficient of the milk fat particles with mean diameter has a maximum mean deviation of 9 042 m-1. The particle size distribution is not completely determined by the mean diameters. The dependence of the light scattering properties on the particle size distribution should be considered into the model and simulation. Therefore, it is found that the particle size distribution in milk fat solution is an essential and critical factor to significantly improve the detection accuracy of milk fat content.