BRIX ANALYSIS

(TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLIDS)

TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLID (TSS)
-Measure the sugar content of sugar solutions
(honey, juices,syrup) which the sugar is the major
component using refractometer
-Total soluble solids content of a solution is
determined by the index of refraction. This is measured
using a refractometer, and is referred to as the degrees
Brix.
-Brix is the term used when a refractometer
equipped with a scale,based on the relationship between
refractive indices at 20°C and the percentage by mass of
total soluble solids of a pure aqueous sucrose solution.
-This tests the solids concentration of a
sucrose containing solution.
-It is widely used during fruit and vegetable
processing to determine the concentration of sugar
in the products.
- Sugar concentration is expressed in degrees Brix.
At 20°C, the Brix is usually consider equivalent to
the percentage of sucrose (sugar) in the solution
(60° Brix is equivalent to a sugar content of 60%).
o TWO INSTRUMENT USED TO MEASURE THE
TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLID (TSS)

-REFRACTOMETER
-AN INSTRUMENT THAT MEASURES THE
REFRACTIVE INDEX THAT IS TAKEN AS A
CONSTANT FOR PURE SUBSTANCE
UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF
TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

-ABBE REFRACTOMETER
-COMMONLY USED WHICH ALLOWS
REFRACTIVE INDEX TO BE READ BOTH
SACCHAROSE AND DRY MATTER SCALE
IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATING THE
PRCENTAGE OF TSS ( JUICE IN THE FRUIT)

 The test to determine the ‘Percent Juice Content’

is important to determine the quality of the fruit.
 If to fruit is under or over-ripe there can be less
juice, which affects eating quality
 Determining the total soluble solids (Brix) is an
important measurement taken in a wide range of
crops.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE ON
HOW TO CALCULATE THE BRIX
 1ST.. Equipment
 Refractometer

Procedure
1. Collect a refractometer (these should be handled carefully as

they are expensive!)

2. Ensure the refractometer prism surface is clean and dry

3. Place a small amount of fresh juice (a couple of drops is sufficient)

onto the prism of the refractometer.

4. . Look through the eyepiece while pointing the prism in the

direction of good light (not directly at the sun).

5. . Focus and take the reading of where the base of the blue colour sits

on the scale and record the % percentage sugar (°Brix).

 6. Clean the refractometer immediately with a damp
tissue, and dry thoroughly.

Calculation of TSS 3 trial sample

Trial 1 + trial 2 + 3
3 trials

=results of brix
 CALCULATION

% Water Soluble Content (g / 100 mL) = BxV

--------
S
B: The degree of brix detected in the diluted sample
V: The volume in which the sample was diluted (ml)
S: Sample amount (g)
 EXAMPLE

25 g marmalade sample was prepared by transferring to 100

mL measuring flask and the brix value was read as 16.
Calculate the amount of water-soluble dry matter in
marmalade

%Brix= 16x100 : 64
25