Moisture Content by Air Oven

Apparatus
Air Oven - capable of being controlled at 100-150 C
Analytical balance - 300 g capacity and 0.1 mg sensitivity
Desiccator - air-tight with desiccant
Aluminum dish - 55 mm diameter, 15 mm height, with tight-fitting cover
Crucible tong - stainless steel
Spatula - stainless steel
Methodology
1. Preparation of aluminum dish
Place aluminum dish and cover in forced draft oven at 100 - 105 C for 2 hours,
cool for 30 minutes in a desiccator. Record weight of dish + cover.
For all marine products except raw oysters: Place cut glass fibers and glass
stirring rod ca 8 cm long with flat end into flat-bottom metal-weighing dish, ca
9 cm diameter.
2. Preparation of test portion
a. For dry sample
Before opening laboratory sample for analysis, invert and roll container
alternately to ensure homogeneous mixture. Avoid extreme temperatures and
humidities when opening containers for analysis. Keep laboratory sample
tightly sealed at all times.
3. Drying of sample
Accurately weigh sample into prepared aluminum dish in 6.1. Record weight of
sample.
Place aluminum dish with sample inside the air oven pre-heated to required
temperature.
Uncover test portion, and dry dish, cover and sample following the required
number of hours for each fooc sample.
At the end of the drying period, cover dish while still in oven and transfer into a
desiccator. Cool for 30 minutes and weigh. Record weight of dish + cover +
sample.
Calculation
1. Calculate Moisture content
Moisture Content, g/100g

weight of dish cover sample before drying (g) - weight of dish cover sample after drying (g)
weight of sample (g)

2. Acceptance of Results
The difference between replicate results is 10% of the mean.