FSN 105 Food Analysis

Assignment

Physical methods of
moisture estimation
Refractometry and
psychrometry

M. Gurubaran
2023008011
 Principle and
instrumentatio
Introduction n of
Refractometry

Principle
Types and instrumentatio
application of n and
Refractometry Application of
Psychrometry
Agenda
Conclusion

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Introduction
Moisture determination is one of the most
important and most widely used
measurements in the processing and
testing of foods. It is of direct economic
importance to the processor and the
consumer. Stability and quality of foods is
also affected by moisture content, hence
it also has a role in the safety of foods.
Grains that contain too much water is
subject to rapid deterioration from mold
growth, heating, insect damage and
sprouting. The rate of browning of
dehydrated vegetables and fruits, or
oxygen absorption by egg powders
increases with an increase in moisture
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content. High moisture content of ghee
Refractometry

Refractive Index Measurement

or Refractometry is the method
of measuring substances
refractive index and assess
their composition or purity.
Refractometry is a technique
that measures how light is
refracted when it passes
through a given substance.
Refractometry- Principle
Snell’s Law which is also known as The Law of Refraction
describes the formula behind the refraction:

Snell’s Law:
. It is often used in refractometry to describe the
relationship angles of incidence and light.

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Refractometry- Principle
Since the late nineteenth century refractometry was one of the main techniques
used in chemical analysis. Refractometry was used to determine concentrations
of solutions and as an aid in the identification of unknown substances.

Refractive index is the amount by which light is refracted. The ratio of the speed
of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in another substance is defined as the
refractive index for the substance. The speed of light in a vacuum is always the
same, but when light moves through any other medium it travels more slowly
since it is constantly being absorbed and re-emitted by the atoms in the
material.

The refractive index is a quantity which is a constant for a pure substance under
standard conditions of temperature and pressure.
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Instrumentation for
Refractometry
A Refractometer is the instrument used
to measure refractive index (RI).

A refractometer measures the extent to

which light is bent when it moves from
air into a sample and is typically used to
determine the refractive index of a liquid
sample.

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Types
of Refractomet
ers
There are four main types of
refractometers,
Traditional handheld refractometers.
Digital handheld refractometers.
laboratory or Abbe refractometer.
and incline process refractometers.

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 1. Traditional Handheld
Refractometer
A traditional handheld refractometer is an instrument
for measuring a liquid’s refractive index.
Handhelds are compact and easy to use, the handheld
refractometers are ideal for laboratory measurements.
Simply immerse the sensor in the sample or drop the
sample on top of the sensor prism.
These units are best used for calculating the Brix value
of fruit juices, soft drinks, sauces, soups, water-soluble
cutting oils, washing liquids, industrial liquids, and
coolants.
A Traditional Handheld Refractometer does not require
batteries or a power source. This allows the handheld
refractometer to be used anywhere, at least in daylight.
Traditional Handheld
Refractometer

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2. Digital Refractometer
A digital refractometer can offer more than
double the resolution of a traditional style
refractometer producing a far more accurate
reading.
A digital refractometer has automatic
temperature compensation based on sugar and
calculates the current temperature into the final
result.
A digital refractometer not only offers a wider
scale but also a much better resolution.
Ultimate accuracy is limited by the sugar
temperature compensation but so long as the
sample is primarily sugar and the sample is fairly
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close to room temperature then these types of

 3. Laboratory / Abbe
Refractometer
Abbe Refractometer are highly reliable classic
instruments which measure Refractive Index.
Compared with other types of refractometers,
the Abbe refractometer are capable of
measuring liquid and solid samples such as plate
glasses, plastic sheets, and other solid films.
They have sapphire prisms and sealed optics. A
computer interface is usually a standard feature
for printing and data download.
This style of instrument can give good
accuracy on most sample types, not just sugar.

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4. Inline Process Refractometer

Inline Process Refractometers are

designed for inserting into pipelines or
vessels.
Inline Refractometers monitor a process
variable (typically dissolved solids) which
is refractive index dependent.
The refractometer produces a digital
and analog output ready for transmission
to a PLC (Programmable logic controller)
or other controller.
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Application of
refractometer
Refractometry for the Pharmaceutical
Industry
•Toxicology Testing (Urine SG)
•Pharmacy compounding and drug
diversion
Refractometry for Flavor, Fragrance,
and Essential Oil Industry
•Perfumes, Skin cleansers, Lotions

Refractometry for Food and Beverage

Industry Applications
•Like seed oils, tea, daily products, etc.,

Measuring Refractive Index in

the Sugar Industry 14
•Cane sugar, invert sugar, brown sugar,..
 Psychrometr
y

The study of relationships between

air and its associated water is called
Psychrometry.

Psychrometry is the field of

engineering and atmospheric science
that deals with the physical and
thermodynamic properties of gas-
vapor mixtures, typically air and
water vapor. It's crucial in various
applications including HVAC (heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning),
meteorology, and industrial
 Instrumentation for
psychrometry
Psychrometer is an instrument used in psychrometry.

What is Psychrometer?

A psychrometer is made up of two

thermometers that are identical. One
thermometer’s bulb is kept wet,
causing it to record a lower
temperature than the dry-bulb
thermometer due to evaporation
cooling.
 Principle of psychrometer

The principle of a
psychrometer is based on
measuring the temperature
difference between two
thermometers: a dry-bulb
thermometer and a wet-bulb
thermometer. The
psychrometer exploits the
cooling effect of evaporation to
determine the relative
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humidity of the air.
Components of a Psychrometer
Dry-Bulb Thermometer:
•Measures the ambient air
temperature.
•This is the standard thermometer
without any modification.

Wet-Bulb Thermometer:
•Measures the temperature after
evaporation of water.
•It has a cloth wick soaked in water
wrapped around its bulb. When air
flows over the wet wick, water
evaporates, cooling the bulb.
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 Types of psychrometer

SLING PSYCHROMETER: ASPIRATED

PSYCHROMETER:
Consists of two thermometers
mounted on a handle or a frame Uses a fan or blower to pass
that can be swung in the air. air over the thermometers.
Swinging the psychrometer allows
air to flow over both thermometers, Ensures a consistent airflow,
enhancing the evaporation process leading to more accurate and
on the wet-bulb thermometer. reliable measurements.
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 Sample Calculation

3. Use
1.Measure Dry-
2. Determine Wet- Psychrometric
Bulb and Wet-Bulb
Bulb Depression Chart or Formula
Temperatures

•Suppose the dry-bulb Wet-bulb depression = Dry- •Plot the values on a

temperature is 25°C. bulb temp - Wet-bulb temp psychrometric chart or use
a formula to find the
•The wet-bulb Eg = 25°C - 20°C = 5°C relative humidity and other
temperature is 20°C.
properties.
•The chart will show that
with a 5°C wet-bulb
depression at a 25°C dry-
bulb temperature, the
relative humidity might be
20
around 50%
 Key Applications in Food
Analysis

Drying Shelf Life

Moisture Processes Prediction
Content Psychrometry aids in Storage and Certain fruits and
Determination designing and Packaging vegetables are stored in
This methods help in optimizing drying Psychrometric data environments with
determining the processes by help in designing controlled humidity and
equilibrium moisture understanding the packaging that can temperature to extend
content of food air's capacity to hold control the internal their shelf life.
products under moisture and the environment, using Psychrometry provides
various drying kinetics of materials with the necessary data to 21
environmental different foods. specific permeability maintain these
to water vapor controlled conditions
Summary Moisture estimation
• Physical methods of moisture estimation, such as
using a psychrometer, gravimetric analysis, or
infrared moisture meters, are crucial in various
industries for ensuring product quality and safety.
These methods measure moisture content through
direct or indirect techniques, providing accurate and
reliable data.
Refractometry
• Refractometry is a technique used to measure the
refractive index of substances, providing valuable
information about their concentration and purity. It
is widely used in industries like food and beverage,
pharmaceuticals, and chemistry for quality control
and product formulation.
Psychrometry
• Psychrometry is an essential aspect of food analysis,
providing the necessary tools and data to control
and optimize various processes related to food
moisture content, drying, storage, and quality
control. By understanding and applying
psychrometric principles, food scientists and 22
engineers can ensure the safety, quality, and
longevity of food products
Thankyou
By
Gurubaran M
2023008011
Bsc(Hons) FND

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