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Determination of Water Content in Honey by Karl Fischer Titration (CAT#: STEM-PPA-0128-YJL)

Introduction

Water content is a quality parameter important for honey shelf life and is critical in order to prevent from microbiological spoilage; water content also affects some physical properties of honey, such as viscosity and glucose crystallization. Karl Fischer (KF) titration is known to determine water selectively by a chemical reaction. Despite it is an expensive and time-consuming method, it is considered the most accurate for determining water content; is to be noted that values obtained may somewhat depend on experimental conditions of titration (solvent utilized, temperature).




Principle

Karl Fischer titration is used as a reference method for many substances and is a chemical analysis method based on the oxidation of sulfur dioxide by iodine in methanol hydroxide solution. Titration can be performed by volumetric or coulometric methods.
According to the volumetric method, an iodine-containing Karl Fischer solution is added until the first signs of iodine excess appear. Iodine turnover was determined by the volume of the burette containing iodine Karl Fischer solution.
In the coulometric procedure, reacted iodine is generated directly in the titration cell by electrochemical oxidation of iodide ions until traces of unreacted iodine are detected. Faraday's law can be used to calculate the amount of iodine produced by the required charge.

Applications

Food industry; Petroleum industry

Procedure

1. Pre-titrate the instrument.
2. Weigh the sample.
3. Pour the sample into the titration vessel.
4. Stir until the sample dissolves, and titrate to the end point with Karl Fischer titrant.
5. Enter the sample mass and record the moisture determination.

Materials

• Sample Type: Liquids, solids, slurries, even gases