Water Analysis Measurement System Makes Debut

Decagon Devices will introduce the world’s first all-in-one water activity and moisture analysis measurement system at Food Ingredients Europe 09 in Frankfurt.

Designed to maximise processed food production while cutting costs, the AquaLab DUO makes it possible to measure water activity and moisture content simultaneously.

To measure moisture content using water activity requires an understanding of the relationship between the two parameters. This relationship, referred to as the moisture sorption isotherm, is complex and unique to each product type. It must be determined experimentally by measuring water content at several water activity values.

Decagon’s AquaSorp isotherm generator can rapidly generate robust isotherms with unmatched data resolution. Once the isotherm has been generated it can be loaded into the AquaLab DUO and used to indirectly determine moisture content based on a water activity measurement generated by the AquaLab DUO.

At the Food Ingredients Exhibition in Frankfurt, Tamsin Campbell of Decagon Devices will be presenting a seminar on water activity and moisture sorption isotherms. Content will include: introduction of multiple applications for both water activity and sorption isotherms in areas such as shelf life, moisture migration, temperature abuse, phase changes, and packaging predictions; new strategies for moisture control using isotherm information for food engineering and product development; how to use water activity for compliance with FDA regulations; how water activity affects microorganism growth and survival; how to make preservative free formulations using a hurdles approach; and how to control/adjust water activity to optimise product quality.