What is Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Ash Analysis? Method and Importance

Determination of the Amount of Insoluble Ash in Hydrochloric Acid and Its Importance...

Hydrochloric acid insoluble ash analysis is an important quality control method used to assess the purity, processing quality and contamination status of food and feed products. It is especially applied to determine the presence of soil, sand, silica or similar inorganic substances in cereals, flour, starch and food additives.

What is Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Ash?

In mineral residues obtained by incineration of a sample during ash analysis, ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid mostly refers to inorganic substances such as soil, sand or silica. Such substances can be mixed into the product during production and have a negative impact on quality.

• Total ash: Refers to the total amount of minerals remaining after incineration.
• Ash insoluble in HCl: Measures particles that do not dissolve between minerals.

How is it analyzed?

• The appropriate amount of sample for the analysis (e.g. 5-10 g) is accurately weighed.
• The sample may be subjected to pre-drying.

• The sample is incinerated in a muffle furnace at 550°C - 600°C. This process ensures that organic matter is removed by combustion.
• After sufficient time in the oven, a completely white colored ash residue is obtained.

• Add 10 mL of 10% HCl solution to the remaining ash.
• Dissolution is achieved by heating the mixture in a water bath or at low temperature.

• Insoluble substances in the solution are filtered with the help of ash analysis paper or glass filter.
• The filtered insoluble matter is dried and weighed to determine the amount.

• The amount of insoluble ash is expressed as a percentage (%) by proportioning to the total weight of the sample .

What is the Importance of Determination of Insoluble Ash in Hydrochloric Acid?

• A high amount of ash insoluble in HCl may indicate that the product is contaminated with soil, sand or foreign matter.
• This indicates problems such as insufficient cleanliness during production, poor quality raw materials or contamination during transportation.

• The Turkish Food Codex and international standards set limits on the amount of ash insoluble in HCl for certain products.
• This analysis is a critical test to assess whether products comply with legal requirements.

• Substances that are insoluble in HCl are usually indigestible impurities and can have harmful effects on human health.
• Analysis allows such contaminants to be detected and removed from the product.

• A high insoluble ash value may indicate the need for improvements in production processes (e.g. better cleaning or screening processes).

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services in Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Ash Analysis. We also provide services in Nutrient Determination.

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