NIR Polarimetry in sugar analysis

Sample Preparation as a Key Challenge

Sample preparation is a critical step in sugar analysis and often represents the main bottleneck in laboratory workflows. Conventional filtration methods, especially those combined with chemical clarification, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and environmentally critical. They require multiple manual steps, are prone to inconsistencies, and limit sample throughput.

Advantages of Automated Filtration

Automated filtration systems such as pressurized filtration provide a reliable and efficient alternative. They enable fast, reproducible sample preparation without the use of hazardous chemicals and significantly reduce operator dependency. By removing turbidity while preserving the original sample composition, automated filtration ensures consistent conditions for subsequent analysis and allows high-throughput operation in modern laboratories.

NIR Polarimetry at 882 nm

Building on this optimized sample preparation, near-infrared (NIR) polarimetry offers a powerful method for sucrose analysis. By measuring optical rotation at a wavelength of approximately 882 nm, the technique enables accurate determination of sucrose content and purity even in dark or highly colored samples. Unlike conventional visible-light polarimetry at 589 nm, NIR polarimetry allows direct measurement without chemical clarification, simplifying workflows and improving laboratory safety. The method combines the specificity of optical rotation with the robustness of spectroscopic techniques, enabling fast and reliable results across different sugar process streams. It supports continuous monitoring of sucrose content and purity, contributing to improved process control and production efficiency.

Integrated and Automated Workflow

In modern systems, automated filtration, polarimetric measurement, and data evaluation are fully integrated. The measured polarization values are directly used to determine sucrose content and purity, often in combination with refractometric data. This seamless workflow enables high reproducibility, minimal operator intervention, and efficient, fully automated sugar analysis. Using the SCHMIDT + HAENSCH AutoFilt Z in combination with the Purity Analyzer, a combination of a polarimeter (Polartronic V or Saccharomat V) and refractometer (e.g. ATR P) provides a robust method for determining sucrose content and purity in sugar production. Integrated into the laboratory workflow, AutoFilt Z ensures fast and reproducible sample preparation without the need for hazardous clarification chemicals, while the Purity Analyzer combines polarimetric and refractometric measurements in a single system. By measuring optical rotation at near-infrared wavelengths, even dark or highly colored samples can be analyzed directly, eliminating time-consuming preparation steps. The result is a efficient workflow with precise purity determination, optimized resource usage, and minimal operator intervention.