Use of low-field-NMR and MRI to characterize water mobility and distribution in pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) during drying process

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to monitor the water mobility and distribution of Pacific oyster during drying process. The results show the mobilities of bulk, immobilized, and free water were reduced, and the immobilized water was removed dramatically. T2-weighted images displayed the water decrease from the external surface to inner center of oyster during drying. In addition, excellent correlations between the total moisture content and T22 and A22 were observed with coefficients 0.9777 and 0.9832, respectively. Principal component analysis showed the drying degree of oyster could be monitored based on raw relaxation data. Thus, the result revealed that LF-NMR and MRI have great potential in assessing water mobility and distribution in oyster during drying process.