3.1.4.5 Thermocouple Psychrometer
Water activity measurement is based on wet bulb temperature depression. A thermocouple is placed in the chamber where the sample is equilibrated. Water is then sprayed over the thermocouple before it is allowed to evaporate, causing a decrease in temperature. The drop in temperature is related to the rate of water evaporation from the surface of the thermocouple, which is a function of the relative humidity in equilibrium with the sample.
3.1.4.6 Isopiestic method
The isopiestic method consists of equilibrating both a sample and a reference material in an evacuated desiccator until equilibrium is reached at 25°C. The moisture content of the reference material is then determined and the aw obtained from the sorption isotherm. Since the sample was in equilibrium with the reference material, the aw of both is the same.
3.1.4.7 Electric hygrometers
Most hygrometers are electrical wires coated with hygroscopic salts or sulfonated polystyrene gel in which conductance or capacitance changes as the coating absorbs moisture from the sample. The major disadvantage of this type of hygrometer is the tendency of the hygroscopic salt to become contaminated with polar compounds, resulting in erroneous aw determinations.
3.1.4.8 Hair hygrometers
Hair hygrometers are based on the stretching of a fibre when exposed to high water activity. They are less sensitive than other instruments at lower levels of activity (