Evidence and measurements
Method conditions and units
A number means little without its method: which method a value was measured by, which conditions must be reported, and why missing ones are never filled in.
The method is part of the number
A water holding capacity measured after centrifuging at one force is not the same quantity as one measured at another. A gel hardness from 50 % compression cannot be compared with one from 30 %. A nitrogen content becomes a protein content only after a conversion factor is applied, and the factor changes the number.
FoodProt AI therefore records, beside every value, which method the paper says it used and which of that method’s defining conditions the paper reports. The methods come from a versioned list of method profiles (version 1.1.0, 56 profiles). A value is assessed against the version in use at the time, and a later version never changes an earlier assessment silently.
What is recorded
The method record stays with the value from extraction through review into the verified dataset and every export. Its fields are:
- method_profile_id
- method_profile_version
- method_registry_version
- source_reported_method
- method_parameters
- instrument_make_model
- method_completeness
- missing_defining_conditions
- source_protocol_as_reported
- method_evidence
- method_confidence
- method_confidence_reason
- method_abstention_reason
- method_identified_by
- method_identifier_version
- method_identified_at
- method_review_decision
- method_reviewed_at
- method_coverage_state
How a method is assigned
The method is read from what the paper states: the sentence the value came from, the caption, the surrounding paragraph and the methods section. Its settings are recorded exactly as printed. A speed in rpm stays in rpm; it is not converted to a centrifugal force, because that needs a rotor radius the paper did not give.
When no method statement matches, or two match equally, no method is assigned and the reason is recorded. A reviewer then confirms the method, corrects it or rejects it, and each decision is kept.
Defining conditions are never filled in
Each profile names the conditions without which a value cannot be compared. A value whose paper states all of them is recorded as complete. A value missing any of them is still saved, but it is recorded as incomplete with the missing conditions named, and it is never marked comparable and never accepted automatically. No setting switches this off.
A paper that names no method is recorded as unstated, which is different from incomplete.
Units come from one list
Every unit shown for a method, in review, in the import template, in the data dictionary and in exports, comes from one shared list of units. A profile lists the units papers report the property in; a unit outside that list is flagged, kept as reported, and settled by a reviewer.
The rules that follow
These are the rules the method profiles follow, in the wording the platform itself uses.
- method is recorded never inferred — A method profile is assigned from what the source STATES. It is never inferred from the value, the unit, the material or the journal. A measurement whose method the source does not state is recorded with profile `unstated`, and that is a fact about the source, not a gap to be filled in.
- no cross method conversion — Two profiles that measure the same property do not make their numbers interconvertible. No conversion between profiles is ever performed automatically, and no profile declares an equivalence to another. Where the literature compares them, the comparison belongs to the author, with their reasoning, not to this system.
- required fields are refusals not warnings — Each profile lists the fields without which its number cannot be read. A measurement that claims the profile and lacks one of them is flagged and kept as reported. It is never completed with a default, and the flag is never cleared by anything but a human.
- standard designations come from the source — `standardDesignation` is null in every profile in this release. A standard method number is a claim about a document; recording one the source did not state would invent provenance. When a source names its standard, that designation is stored on the MEASUREMENT, beside the profile, as reported text.
- defining conditions withhold automatic acceptance — The required fields of a profile are its DEFINING CONDITIONS: without them two values are not known to be comparable. A candidate whose profile is known and whose defining conditions are incomplete is kept as a review candidate, marked method-incomplete, and is never routed to automatic acceptance. An unstated method is likewise never auto-accepted. Completeness is assessed against the profile version the candidate names, and re-assessed only by a human or by a re-run that records the new version.
- units come from the shared unit system — The units a profile lists are spellings that exist in the shared unit registry. A profile never introduces a unit the unit system does not know, and no interface component keeps its own list of units for a method: it asks the profile, which asks the registry.
Coverage: one state for each property
Each of the 84 properties in the vocabulary (version 2.1.0) has exactly one coverage state (coverage list version 1.0.0). Where measurement conventions are disputed, the state says so.
Coverage states and the number of properties in each
supported
- Properties
- 74
- Meaning
- At least one method profile records this property with its defining conditions; values recorded under one complete profile can be compared with each other.
source_reported_method_only
- Properties
- 3
- Meaning
- Values are recorded with the method exactly as the source reports it; no general profile makes two sources comparable, so they are never compared automatically.
qualitative_only
- Properties
- 1
- Meaning
- The property is an observation, not a number. It is recorded as text and never marked comparable.
under_expert_review
- Properties
- 6
- Meaning
- The measurement conventions are disputed or heterogeneous; profiles exist but comparison across sources waits for an expert decision.
not_yet_profiled
- Properties
- 0
- Meaning
- No profile has been written; values are recorded with their free-text method and held for review.
The profiles and their defining conditions
The import template accepts any of these profile names in its method_profile column.
Method profiles, the properties they measure, the defining conditions they require, and the units they list
total_nitrogen_dumas
- Measures
- total nitrogen
- Defining conditions
- reporting_basis
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
total_nitrogen_kjeldahl
- Measures
- total nitrogen
- Defining conditions
- reporting_basis
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
crude_protein_calculated
- Measures
- protein content
- Defining conditions
- reporting_basis, nitrogen_conversion_factor, nitrogen_method
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
moisture_oven_drying
- Measures
- moisture content
- Defining conditions
- drying_temperature, reporting_basis
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
ash_muffle_furnace
- Measures
- ash content
- Defining conditions
- reporting_basis, furnace_temperature
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
protein_solubility_ph_series
- Measures
- solubility
- Defining conditions
- ph, protein_quantification_assay, solvent_or_buffer, separation_step
- Units
- %, mg/mL, g/L
nsi_standard
- Measures
- nitrogen solubility index
- Defining conditions
- stirring_protocol
- Units
- %
pdi_standard
- Measures
- protein dispersibility index
- Defining conditions
- blend_protocol
- Units
- %
sds_page_apparent_mass
- Measures
- apparent molecular mass
- Defining conditions
- gel_percentage, reducing_or_non_reducing
- Units
- kDa, Da
dsc_thermal_transition
- Measures
- denaturation temperature, onset temperature, endset temperature, denaturation enthalpy
- Defining conditions
- scan_rate, sample_concentration, enthalpy_basis
- Units
- °C, K, J/g
dls_particle_size
- Measures
- particle size, polydispersity index
- Defining conditions
- dispersant, temperature, reported_statistic
- Units
- nm, μm, 1
laser_diffraction_particle_size
- Measures
- particle size
- Defining conditions
- reported_statistic, optical_model
- Units
- μm, nm
eai_turbidimetric
- Measures
- emulsifying activity index
- Defining conditions
- oil_fraction, protein_concentration, homogenisation, ph, sds_concentration, dilution_factor, wavelength, equation_as_reported, measurement_time
- Units
- m²/g
emulsifying_capacity_titration
- Measures
- emulsifying capacity
- Defining conditions
- protein_concentration, inversion_detection, oil_type, oil_addition_rate, output_basis
- Units
- mL/g, g/g
foaming_whipping
- Measures
- foaming capacity, foaming ability
- Defining conditions
- protein_concentration, aeration_method, aeration_time, initial_volume, foam_volume, formula
- Units
- %, mL
lgc_tube_inversion
- Measures
- least gelation concentration
- Defining conditions
- heating_temperature, heating_time, concentration_basis
- Units
- % w/v, % w/w, mg/mL
gel_strength_penetration
- Measures
- gel strength, fracturability
- Defining conditions
- probe_geometry, test_speed, penetration_depth
- Units
- N, mN, gf, Pa
tpa_double_compression
- Measures
- gel hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, adhesiveness, resilience
- Defining conditions
- compression_strain, test_speed, sample_geometry, two_cycle, probe_geometry
- Units
- gf, N, mm, 1, %, gf·s, N·s, mJ, N·mm
extraction_alkaline_isoelectric
- Measures
- protein extraction yield, protein recovery
- Defining conditions
- extraction_ph, precipitation_ph, solid_liquid_ratio, yield_denominator
- Units
- %
extensibility_instrumented
- Measures
- stretch distance, work to extend
- Defining conditions
- fixture_geometry, gauge_length, test_speed
- Units
- mm, cm, mJ, J, N·mm, g·mm, g·cm
esi_turbidimetric
- Measures
- emulsion stability index
- Defining conditions
- stability_interval, equation_as_reported, sds_concentration, dilution_factor, wavelength, protein_concentration, oil_fraction, homogenisation
- Units
- min, h
emulsifying_activity_volumetric
- Measures
- emulsifying activity
- Defining conditions
- protein_concentration, oil_fraction, homogenisation, centrifugation_rcf, centrifugation_time, formula
- Units
- %
emulsion_stability_volumetric
- Measures
- emulsion stability
- Defining conditions
- stability_time, stability_temperature, formula, protein_concentration, oil_fraction, homogenisation
- Units
- %
creaming_index_visual
- Measures
- creaming index
- Defining conditions
- storage_time, storage_temperature, formula, protein_concentration, oil_fraction, homogenisation
- Units
- %
emulsion_heat_stability
- Measures
- emulsion stability
- Defining conditions
- heating_temperature, heating_time, readout, protein_concentration, oil_fraction, homogenisation
- Units
- %, 1
emulsion_separation_turbiscan
- Measures
- emulsion stability
- Defining conditions
- scan_duration, scan_interval, measurement_temperature, tsi_definition_as_reported
- Units
- 1
foam_stability_timed
- Measures
- foaming stability
- Defining conditions
- stability_timepoints, initial_foam_volume, final_foam_volume, formula, aeration_method, aeration_time, protein_concentration
- Units
- %, min, mL
water_holding_capacity_centrifugation
- Measures
- water holding capacity, water absorption capacity, water binding capacity, hydration capacity
- Defining conditions
- liquid_type, sample_liquid_ratio, holding_time, centrifugation_rcf, centrifugation_time, denominator
- Units
- g/g, mL/g, %
swelling_capacity_volumetric
- Measures
- swelling capacity
- Defining conditions
- liquid_type, holding_time, sample_mass
- Units
- mL/g, %
oil_holding_capacity_centrifugation
- Measures
- oil holding capacity, oil absorption capacity, oil binding capacity, fat absorption capacity
- Defining conditions
- oil_type, sample_liquid_ratio, holding_time, centrifugation_rcf, centrifugation_time, denominator
- Units
- g/g, mL/g, %
critical_gel_concentration_rheological
- Measures
- critical gel concentration
- Defining conditions
- gel_criterion, concentration_basis, concentration_step, heating_protocol
- Units
- % w/v, % w/w, mg/mL
gel_forming_ability_qualitative
- Measures
- gel forming ability
- Defining conditions
- observation_text, concentration, heating_protocol
- Units
- 1
single_compression_firmness
- Measures
- firmness
- Defining conditions
- compression_strain, probe_geometry, test_speed
- Units
- N, gf, kgf
oscillatory_shear_rheology
- Measures
- storage modulus, loss modulus, complex modulus, loss tangent, complex viscosity
- Defining conditions
- geometry, gap, temperature, strain_or_stress_amplitude, frequency, oscillatory_region
- Units
- Pa, kPa, 1, Pa·s, mPa·s
steady_shear_flow_curve
- Measures
- viscosity, shear stress, yield stress
- Defining conditions
- shear_rate_or_range, temperature, geometry
- Units
- Pa·s, mPa·s, Pa
rotational_viscometer_spindle
- Measures
- viscosity
- Defining conditions
- spindle, rotational_speed, temperature
- Units
- mPa·s, Pa·s
power_law_flow_model_fit
- Measures
- consistency coefficient, flow behavior index, yield stress
- Defining conditions
- model, shear_rate_range, temperature
- Units
- Pa·s^n, 1, Pa
glass_transition_dsc
- Measures
- glass transition temperature
- Defining conditions
- scan_rate, moisture_content, tg_definition
- Units
- °C, K
zeta_potential_electrophoretic
- Measures
- zeta potential
- Defining conditions
- dispersant, ph, ionic_strength, conversion_model, temperature
- Units
- mV
turbidity_spectrophotometric
- Measures
- turbidity
- Defining conditions
- readout, sample_concentration, temperature
- Units
- 1, NTU
interfacial_tension_stated_method
- Measures
- interfacial tension
- Defining conditions
- method, oil_or_air_phase, protein_concentration, temperature, measurement_time
- Units
- mN/m
bulk_tapped_density_cylinder
- Measures
- bulk density, tapped density
- Defining conditions
- tapping_procedure, sample_mass, cylinder_volume
- Units
- kg/m³, g/mL, g/cm³
carr_index_from_densities
- Measures
- carr index
- Defining conditions
- bulk_density, tapped_density, tapping_procedure
- Units
- %
hausner_ratio_from_densities
- Measures
- hausner ratio
- Defining conditions
- bulk_density, tapped_density, tapping_procedure
- Units
- 1
angle_of_repose_stated_method
- Measures
- angle of repose
- Defining conditions
- method, funnel_height_or_geometry
- Units
- °
amino_acid_composition_hydrolysis_chromatography
- Measures
- amino acid composition, hydrophobic amino acid content, hydrophilic amino acid content
- Defining conditions
- amino_acid, analytical_method, hydrolysis_conditions, denominator_basis
- Units
- g/100 g, mg/g, mol%, %
protein_purity_declared_method
- Measures
- protein purity
- Defining conditions
- analytical_method, reporting_basis
- Units
- %, % w/w, g/100 g
surface_hydrophobicity_fluorescence_probe
- Measures
- surface hydrophobicity
- Defining conditions
- probe, probe_concentration, protein_concentration_series, excitation_emission, calculation
- Units
- 1
free_sulfhydryl_ellman
- Measures
- free sulfhydryl content
- Defining conditions
- buffer_or_denaturant, wavelength, extinction_coefficient, denominator, protein_concentration
- Units
- μmol/g, nmol/mg
disulfide_bond_content_reduction
- Measures
- disulfide bond content
- Defining conditions
- reduction_step, free_sulfhydryl_method, calculation, denominator
- Units
- μmol/g, nmol/mg
secondary_structure_spectroscopic_deconvolution
- Measures
- alpha-helix content, beta-sheet content, beta-turn content, random-coil content
- Defining conditions
- technique, spectral_region, deconvolution_method, sample_state
- Units
- %
degree_of_hydrolysis_stated_assay
- Measures
- degree of hydrolysis
- Defining conditions
- assay, total_peptide_bond_reference, hydrolysis_conditions
- Units
- %
in_vitro_protein_digestibility_stated_protocol
- Measures
- in vitro protein digestibility
- Defining conditions
- protocol, enzymes, digestion_time, calculation
- Units
- %
extraction_route_declared
- Measures
- protein extraction yield, protein recovery
- Defining conditions
- route, yield_denominator
- Units
- %
Related
Units and standardisation
How units are standardised: the reported value is kept beside the converted one, and unsafe conversions are refused.
Reviewing extracted values
How to read a candidate value, the four review decisions, and who can give final approval.
Confidence, thresholds and abstention
What a confidence number means, how thresholds decide who looks at what, and why the platform sometimes gives no answer.
Data dictionary
Every field in the FoodProt AI export, listed in the order it is written.
The property glossary
Where to find the definition, other names, accepted units and comparison rules for each of the 81 properties, and how to read an entry.