Brix is the measurement of the sugar content within a liquid solution. One degree Brix is equivalent to 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of the measured solution. Brix results display in degrees Brix (°Bx) or express as a percentage.
Brix refractometers are often used to measure sucrose levels within a wide range of food and beverage, including fruits, vegetables, condiments, juices, soft drinks, wine and beer. Brix Refractometers provide professionals a wealth of information at the touch of a button, giving insight to a product's taste, quality, and nutritional density.
How to measure fruit on the IC-PAL-1 Handheld Pocket Brix Refractometer by Atago
- At the beginning of each day, before taking a measurement or after changing the Atago’s batteries, you must perform a zero-set calibration. Here’s how; take approximately 0.3mL of water and place it on the device’s prism, then press the ‘START’ button to confirm that the water sample measures at 0.0.
- If the sample is not reading at 0.0 press the ‘ZERO’ button, otherwise wipe away the water and proceed to measurement.
- Then squeeze out the juice from the sample (approx. 0.3mL) onto the prism.
- Press the start button.
- Within three seconds, the Brix percentage of the fruit sample will display on the screen.
- Final step: Thoroughly wipe away the sample, ensuring that there is no residue remaining.
NOTE: Once testing has finished, it’s good practice to wash down the refractometer prism with warm water, and a mild detergent then make dry the Atago meter using tissues.
CONCLUSION
Taking Brix measurements using the Atago handheld pocket refractometers is a simple task that will allow you to obtain vital data about the sugar level of fruit within three seconds.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- Want more information on Brix Refractometers and How they work? Learn more here.
- Watch a video of an Instrument Choice Scientist Unboxing the IC-PAL-1 here.
- Want the data history from your Atago pocket meter sent straight to your phone? See a video on How to use the Data Transmission Function on Atago Pocket Refractometers here.