DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT THEORY

The moisture content influences the physical properties of a substance such as weight, density, viscosity, refractive index, electrical conductivity and many more. Chemical, thermogravimetric or loss on drying techniques are used to determine this content.

Why measuring moisture ?

Most natural products contain moisture. The water content per se is seldom of interest. Rather, it shows whether a product intended for trade and production has standard properties such as

– Storability

– Agglomeration in the case of powders

– Microbiolgical stability

– Flow properties, viscosity

– Dry substance content

– Concentration or purity

– Commercial grade (compliance with quality agreements)

– Nutritional value of the product

– Legal conformity (statutory regulations governing food)

There are several moisture determination methods such as

− Moisture determination with Karl Fischer titration

− Moisture determination by thermogravimetric method

− Moisture determination by drying-oven method

− Moisture determination with halogen moisture analyzers

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