Brix dosage

Brix measurement is a standard test for measuring the soluble solids content, primarily sugars, in food and plant products. Expressed in degrees Brix (°Bx), this measurement reflects the concentration of dissolved solids such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, and other soluble compounds (organic acids, mineral salts, amino acids).

Performed by refractometry , the Brix measurement is an essential quality criterion for food, nutraceutical and animal nutrition manufacturers. It allows the maturity, concentration and standardization of products to be assessed, from raw material to finished product.

Understanding the Brix measurement

One degree Brix corresponds to 1 gram of sucrose dissolved in 100 grams of solution. The higher the degree Brix, the greater the concentration of sugars and soluble matter.

Brix measurement is widely used in:

• Juices and drinks : to control sugar content and standardize formulations.
• Fruits and vegetables : as an indicator of maturity and sensory quality.
• Syrups and confectionery : to validate the sugar concentration and consistency of production.
• Nutraceutical products : to check the composition of extracts and enriched solutions.
• Animal nutrition : to assess the quality of fodder and liquid feed.

Analytical method: refractometry

Brix measurement is primarily based on refractometry , which measures the refractive index of a solution. This index varies depending on the concentration of soluble matter.

• Portable refractometer : practical for quick on-site checks (fruit, juice).
• Benchtop refractometer : used in the laboratory for precision analysis.
• Automatic refractometry : integrated into production lines for continuous monitoring.

This technique is simple, fast and reliable, which makes it an essential tool for quality control.

Sectors concerned by Brix dosage

Brix analysis is essential in many industrial fields:

• Human food : control of fruit juices, drinks, jams, syrups, wines, beers and sugary products.
• Nutraceutical : evaluation of liquid or concentrated plant extracts.
• Animal nutrition : characterization of enriched fodder and liquid feed.
• Plants and agriculture : estimating the maturity of fruits and vegetables before harvest.

Typically analyzed matrices

The matrices commonly subjected to Brix dosage are varied:

• Fruit juices and nectars
• Syrups and sugar solutions
• Wines, beers and fermented beverages
• Fresh and concentrated fruits
• Liquid plant extracts
• Jams and sweet preparations
• Liquid-based animal feed

Quality and compliance issues

Brix dosage meets several strategic challenges for manufacturers:

• Standardization : ensuring consistency between production batches.
• Organoleptic quality : guarantee a consistent taste and a controlled sensory experience.
• Regulatory compliance : comply with current standards on nutritional labeling (sugar content).
• Process optimization : adjusting formulations and concentration processes.
• Product valuation : highlight a specific Brix degree as a quality indicator.

YesWeLab support for your Brix analyses

YesWeLab offers you a network of partner laboratories specializing in physicochemical and food analysis. Our partners, accredited and certified (ISO 17025, COFRAC), use validated methods to provide reliable, rapid results that comply with international standards.

Thanks to our digital platform, you can:

• Submit your samples online with ease
• Track your analytics in real time
• Receive your results quickly and securely

Our scientific team will assist you in selecting the analytical methods best suited to your matrices and needs.

Related analyses

• Refractometry – measurement of refractive index
• Determination of titratable acidity
• Sugar analysis
• Dosage of glucose, fructose and sucrose
• Water content measurement (Karl Fischer)