Quality control in the agri-food industry demands the highest analytical precision. Evaluating the results of measurements in physicochemical analyses of the product allows producers to verify compliance with food quality and safety standards. The calibration of the UV-visible spectrophotometerThe instrument used to make these measurements is essential for quality control.
What does a UV-visible spectrophotometer measure?
A UV-visible spectrophotometer is a fundamental analytical instrument in the laboratory that measures the amount of ultraviolet-visible light absorbed by a sample as a function of its wavelength.
In the specific case of honey, this equipment plays a critical role in determining key parameters such as:
- The color of honey: Which classifies honey commercially and is directly related to its floral origin and freshness.
- The diastase and hydromethylfurfural (HMF) index: Key indicators for measuring the degree of freshness, excessive heating, or deterioration of the product during storage.
A misinterpretation in these aspects can lead to the rejection of entire batches or non-compliance with honey quality regulations.
How is a UV-visible spectrophotometer calibrated?
La calibration The UV-visible spectrophotometer process involves establishing, under specific conditions, the relationship between the values measured by a measuring instrument and the reference (traceable) values. At Eyco, this procedure is carried out under rigorous technical protocols to guarantee the metrological reliability of the measuring equipment.
During the process, technicians measure the spectrophotometer's performance across the entire required range.
Main parameters to be calibrated in UV-Visible equipment
To ensure optimal instrument performance in honey analysis, calibration covers the following main parameters:
- Wavelength accuracy: Measures the deviation between the wavelength selected by the equipment and the actual reference value, using specific patterns such as holmium oxide filters.
- Photometric accuracy (absorbance): Measures the agreement between the reading of the amount of light absorbed by the equipment and the actual value of the standard, using potassium dichromate solutions for the ultraviolet range and neutral density filters for the visible range.
- Photometric linearity: Measures the proportionality of the device's response to different concentrations or absorbance levels.
- Diffused Light and Optical Transmittance DensityThey measure, respectively, the unwanted wavelength radiation that reaches the detector and the ratio between absorbance and transmittance, which will allow the photometric behavior of the equipment to be checked, especially at high absorbance and low transmittance values.
Other equipment calibrated by Eyco for the beekeeping sector
In addition to spectrophotometers, at Eyco we have accreditation ENAC to calibrate other essential measuring instruments for honey quality control laboratories, such as RefractometersThese instruments are essential for measuring the Brix degree (Borix content). sugars).
