Exercise
Practical 3 - Determination of total Soluble Solids |
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Aim: To determine the total soluble solids in fresh and processed fruit and vegetable products. Theory and Principle: Total soluble solids (TSS) are determined by means of brix hydrometers which measures the specific gravity or by using hand refractometer which measures refractive index. Brix is a measure of soluble solids only in case of pure sucrose solutions. Generally, the fruit juices contain more sugar than any other soluble constituent and hence, brix provides a useful guide of soluble solids or sugar contents. Brix hydrometer is used to determine the percentage of brix in syrup while Abbe refractometer gives refractive index as well as degree brix. The Refractive index of the test solution is measured at 20°C using a refractometer and the soluble solid content is determined by the use of tables correlating refractive index with soluble solids. Generally, hand refractometer is used for determining TSS in food samples in fruit processing units. TSS of different products varies as under:
Apparatus/machinery/equipments required:
1. Calibrate the refractometer with a drop of distilled water, adjust the scale to 0 % 2. Wipe the prism with a cotton swab. 3. i) Cut a piece of fruit and squeeze a drop of juice on the prism of the refractometer. ii) Place a drop of juice/squash/syrup on the prism.
iii) Place small quantity of jam/jelly in muslin cloth and squeeze and place on the prism. 4. Read the value directly through eye piece of refractometer towards the light at room temperature.5. Correct the readings to standard temperature of 20°C if readings are made at temperature other than 20oC (Table 3.1) Table 3.1: Temperature correction for the standard model of sugar refractometer calibrated at 20oC
Inference: Most fresh fruits generally contain TSS between 10-18oB except limes and lemons which may contain less TSS. Squashes have TSS more than 40oB while Jams contain TSS above 68oB. For determining TSS of dried products, the sample is diluted in known quantity of distilled water and observed reading is multiplied with the factor. |