Important Steps When Using Sartorius Moisture Analyzers
Moisture determination is a key step in product development, production and quality control. The oven drying method, however, is time consuming.
Sartorius moisture analyzers are a fast, convenient and reliable alternative to the oven drying method. They are ideal for recurring measurements in quality control applications such as incoming inspection or daily routine in-process control.
- Determine the Moisture Content of Your Sample
A moisture analyzer, also known as a moisture balance, measures the amount of water in a sample. Moisture content is critical to many applications such as controlling the texture, quality and safety of food. For example, excess moisture can lead to staleness or bacterial growth. It’s also essential to determine the moisture content of food that is sold by weight since customers may end up paying for water weight that they don’t need.
Moisture analyzers use a process called thermogravimetric analysis to determine the moisture content of a sample. During the analysis, a heated sample is weighed before and after drying to deduce the amount of water lost from the sample. Moisture analyzers can be used to determine the moisture content of liquid, paste-like and solid samples.
The MA37 is the new basic moisture analyzer from Sartorius and offers an extremely user-friendly operation with a status light to show you how your test is progressing. It is ideal for daily recurring moisture determination tasks such as inspection of production and incoming goods. It is equipped with fully automatic endpoint determination to eliminate the cumbersome capture of termination criteria. Integrated Methods Development Assistant software makes it easy to create and store up to 100 different methods. An instrument performance test feature and a high weighing capacity with 1 mg resolution round out this advanced moisture analyzer.
- Prepare Your Samples
When you prepare samples for moisture analysis in your laboratory, the right handling procedures help ensure accurate results. Taking proper steps during sample preparation can avoid burns, uneven drying and other errors and can make the difference between successful measurements and unreliable ones.
Oven drying is commonly used to determine the moisture content of liquid, pasty and solid substances but can be time consuming. Moisture analyzers speed up measurement times and offer a more convenient, user-friendly alternative.
The MA35 moisture analyzer from Sartorius is a robust solution for recurring analyses in quality control labs or during incoming goods inspection. Its performance functions and operating concept are geared toward daily routine processes.
The device uses the thermogravimetric method to determine the moisture content of solid, liquid or paste-like samples using a built-in balance and heater modules. The weighing system is designed to prevent heat-induced pan lift and balance drift during the heating process. It also has a non-volatile memory for storing up to 10 measurement programs.
The MA35’s compact design makes it easy to use and easy to clean. It has a clear, concise display that displays important measurement information at a glance. It also helps users follow the correct processing steps at a glance with easy-to-understand icons. To perform a moisture test, you must first tare the sample container and any glass fiber pads used to dry your sample before starting the measurement.
- Connect Your Moisture Analyzer to Your Computer
When using a Sartorius moisture analyzer, an on-board computer saves your programs and measurement data for easy retrieval. These digital analyzers feature a library system to organize and quickly reference your stored moisture analysis protocols and a USB port for exporting data into Excel or LIMS systems. They also feature an initial sample weight lock, a pass-fail function and an integrated printer on the control module. They also offer password protection for up to 20 users, selectable standby temperature and LED status lights.
Sartorius moisture analyzers make it simple to perform, record and repeat moisture tests for quality control in daily laboratory routines. From basic moisture analysis accessories like disposable pipettes and sample containers to thermal printers and paper, Sartorius provides a wide range of necessary moisture balance support products that simplify the performance, recording and documentation of tests.
Infrared (IR) heating in a Sartorius moisture analyzer allows you to determine the moisture content of liquid, pasty and solid samples at a fraction of the time it takes to dry them in an oven. Standard IR drying protocols are ideal for samples unaffected by rapid temperature changes, while gentle IR drying programs help you test sensitive specimens that require a slower ramp-up time to reach the target temperature. They also allow you to run multiple tests simultaneously.
- Run a Test
Moisture analysis is one of the most important tasks in product development, production and quality control. For every raw material, finished product or manufacturing process, the moisture content has a direct impact on price, yield, processing ability and quality. That’s why Sartorius offers a wide selection of moisture analyzers, designed to suit your specific sample and application needs.
The simplest model, the MA37 quickly determines the moisture content of liquid, pasty and solid substances using the thermogravimetric method. Ideal for daily recurring moisture analysis tasks in your QC laboratory, such as inspection of production or incoming goods.
For more complex applications, the MA160 enables you to develop and manage proprietary measurement procedures for multiple samples in a quick, easy way. This supports your work in QC labs and ensures highly repeatable results, even for difficult-to-measure samples. The Method Assistant function makes it easy to develop new methods in just three simple steps.
Microwave moisture analyzers use high-frequency microwave energy to heat the sample, causing water to evaporate. This fast, loss-on method produces results in just a fraction of the time required by conventional moisture balances. The MA 37 and MA 160 are available with either standard halogen or gentle infrared drying programs, which are optimized for different sample types. The MA37 also features a printer built into the hood that eliminates cable spaghetti and makes GLP compliance easier than ever, while the MA160 comes with a choice of standard or GLP-compliant print output.
