How To Measure Brix And Acidity Using An Atago Pocket Brix-Acidity Meter
Measuring Brix and acidity is an excellent way for growers, buyers and retailers of fruit to determine its quality, maturity, and value. Atago Instruments offer a series of hybrid Brix-Acid meters so you can accurately measure Brix and acidity percentages and calculate the sugar/acid ratio.
Video 1 Watch an Instrument Choice scientist demonstrate how to measure Brix and acidity using an Atago Brix-Acidity meter here.
Materials
- Atago Brix-Acid Meter
- Scale
- 100mL beaker
- Measuring spoon
- Deionised water (100ml plus extra for zero calibration and cleaning)
- Fruit juice sample
Zero Calibration
Perform a zero calibration for both Brix and acidity daily. This simple action will adjust and confirm the zero set of the meter, so all your measurements will be at the highest level of accuracy.
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IC TIP 1: Perform an acid zero calibration first and a Brix calibration immediately after. |
How to Perform an Acid Zero Calibration
- Thoroughly clean your meter’s sensor with water.
- Dry the area with tissues thoroughly.
- With nothing on the cleaned sensor, press the START button.
- "LLL" will appear on the top line.
- Press the START button again.
- This time the second line will illuminate.
If the second line of the LCD reads 0.00%
If the second line of the LCD does not read 0.00%
Take no action.
Press the ZERO key.
- The second line must read 0.00 before proceeding to Brix Zero Calibration.
How to Perform a Brix Zero Calibration
- Apply a minimum of 0.3mL deionised water to the sensor.
- Press START.
If the top line of the LCD reads 0.00
If the second line of the LCD does not read 0.00
Take no action
Press the ZERO key.
- The top line will read 0.00. Brix and acidity zero calibration is complete.
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IC TIP 2: The available scales for the IC-PAL-BX-ACID-F5-Master-Kit) are:
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How to Choose Your Acidity Scale
This step is only necessary for Brix-Acid meters that measure more than one type of fruit (as happens in the demonstration video IC-PAL-BX-ACID-F5-Master-Kit). Here is how it’s done.
- Press and hold the R button for 5 seconds until the current scale number displays on the LCD.
- Press the ZERO key to cycle through the available scale numbers.
- When the required scale number appears on the LCD, press R to confirm your choice.
- The device will then confirm the selection by displaying your selected scale number on the top row of the LCD and SET on the second row.
How To Prepare an Acid Dilution
The acid dilution ratio will depend on your selected scale or fruit type. The dilution ratio for the 1H high acidity scale is 1:100. The ratio is 1:50 for all other scales.
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Acid dilution steps for scales: 1L Low Acidity Citrus |
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Acid dilution steps for scale: 1H High Acidity Citrus |
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1. Place the 100mL beaker on the scale |
1. Place the 100mL beaker on the scale |
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2. Press the TARE button |
2. Press the TARE button |
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3. Pour 1g of fruit juice into the beaker |
3. Pour 1g of fruit juice into the beaker |
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4. Add the deionised water until the total weight is 50g |
4. Add the deionised water until the total weight is 100g |
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5. Stir the dilution gently. Set the prepared acidity dilution side until you are ready to perform an acidity measurement |
5. Stir the dilution gently. Set the prepared acidity dilution side until you are ready to perform an acidity measurement |
How To Take A Measurement
To take Brix-acidity measurements, you will need the preprepared acid dilution and an undiluted juice sample.
- Apply at least 0.3mL of your fruit juice to the clean sample well.
- Press START.
- Your Brix percentage will appear on the top line of the LCD.
- Clean the sensor with deionised water and dry thoroughly using a tissue.
- Apply at least 0.3mL of the acid dilution sample to the well.
- Press START.
- The Brix percentage will remain on the top line of the LCD. The in-use scale will appear briefly on the second line before being replaced by the measured acidity.
- Measurement is complete. The Brix and Acid value will remain on the LCD for 90 seconds for easy recording of results.
- Option: Press R to view the Sugar: Acid ratio.
Conclusion
The devices in the extensive range of hybrid Brix-Acid meters by Atago enable you to quickly and easily determine the sweetness and tartness of fruit - and therefore fruit quality and maturity.
For more information on Brix-Acid refractometers, see the links below or contact us!
Additional links
- View the multi-fruit meter used in this video and article how to guide Pocket Brix-Acidity Meter Multi Fruits - IC-PAL-BX-ACID-F5-Master-Kit
- The following application-specific Brix-Acid meters are available:
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Tomato)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Strawberry)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Plum)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Pineapple)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Kiwi)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Grape & Wine)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Coffee cherry)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Citrus)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Blueberry)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Banana)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Asian Pear)
- Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Apple)
- Watch "How To Measure Brix And Acidity Using An Atago Brix-Acidity Meter " again
- Want to see what comes in the box? Watch an Instrument Choice Scientist "Unboxing the Atago Brix-Acidity Meter (Multi Fruits)"
- Discover the complete range of Atago Instruments here
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