This calculator helps you compare the total cost of ownership of a Novasina water activity system with another water activity instrument based on a different sensor technology. The calculation includes the main cost drivers over the selected evaluation period, such as instrument investment, software costs, calibration materials, recurring service costs, and operational effort. This makes…
For manufacturers of products where microbial quality is critical, microbial limit testing can be time-consuming and costly, especially when routine testing is performed frequently across many batches, formulations, or stability samples. This calculator helps you estimate how much cost could potentially be saved if water activity is used as a supporting risk-based parameter to reduce…
This practical decision calculator helps you estimate whether investing in an in-house water activity instrument is financially worthwhile compared with routine testing at an external contract laboratory. By entering a few key assumptions, such as instrument price, expected sample volume, external laboratory cost per sample, internal working time, and annual service costs, you can quickly…
Since water activity testing is critical to ensure the quality and safety of manufactured products, it is common to find water activity instruments in most quality assurance laboratories. As with any laboratory test method, good laboratory practices require routine verification assessments for water activity to make sure the instrumentation is working properly. This can be…
The shelf life of a product is the period during which it remains acceptable and desirable to consumers. It defines how far the product can be distributed, how it should be stored, and which best-before date can be assigned. If the actual shelf life does not meet expectations, the result can be customer complaints, product…
A THOUSAND YEARS OF MAINTAINING SPICE QUALITY THROUGH WATER ACTIVITY CONTROL INTRODUCTION Spices have played a defining role in human history, shaping global cuisine, trade, and cultural exchange for thousands of years. From ancient caravans crossing the Silk Road to the vast maritime routes forged during the Age of Exploration, spices such as pepper, cinnamon,…
The international coffee market is valued at $102 billion. It includes everything from freeze dried instant coffee to specialty blends carefully sourced from specific growing locations. Not surprisingly, the highest quality coffee comes at the highest price along with the highest quality expectations. Coffee beans are harvested as a coffee cherry that is then processed…
Seafood in its various forms is considered a delicacy by many around the world as well as serving as a food staple for many coastal regions. Unfortunately, fresh seafood is not shelf-stable due to its high water activity and long term storage requires either freezing or controlling the water activity through drying, smoking or salting….
With the legalization of cannabis-based products for medicinal and, in some regions, recreational use, the need to implement safety initiatives has emerged. Microbial contamination in either dried buds, extracted oils, or processed edibles can result in allergic reactions, respiratory complications, or foodborne illnesses. In addition, breakdown due to chemical reactions can result in changes in…
The wine industry is a vast and dynamic global market, encompassing everything from small, family- owned vineyards to large multinational corporations. As of recent years, the industry has been valued at over $300 billion, with key production regions including France, Italy, Spain, the United States, and Australia. Wine production involves a complex supply chain, from…
