Dissolved oxygen in wine can be beneficial to some varieties in small amounts, but otherwise is known for reducing the quality and lifetime of the wine. It is therefore important to be able to measure and control dissolved oxygen throughout the production and bottling stages. 

Flint Vineyard measure both pH and dissolved oxygen throughout their wine production in Norfolk, taking measurements with the TRUEscience system. The portable, wireless SMART Cap allows them to move the unit freely around the winery or lab and have the results be transmitted wirelessly via bluetooth. Using the TRUEscience app you can leave the electrode in solution logging results or set it to alert you if the dissolved oxygen or pH readings go above or below a set value. See the below video where Ben from Flint Vineyard explains the requirement for measuring dissolved oxygen in wine production.

If you're looking to measure parameters such as temperature, pH or dissolved oxygen throughout wine production get in touch with our technical team on info@truescience.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1954 233 144 and we can offer you advice and further information. 

Crystalline ion selective electrodes (ISEs), such as the TRUEscience chloride, bromide and copper, tend to develop an oxidised layer on the crystal sensing tip after a period of time. This may lead to the electrode having a slower response.  

To improve performance first make sure the cyrstal surface is dry, then use a very fine emery cloth or sand paper to rub off the oxidised layer. Be very gentle and rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove any loose particles. This should return the electrode performance. 

​Ensure you do not use this process to clean other types of ISE such as PVC electrodes. If you are unsure what type of electrode you have please get in touch with one of our technical team on +44 (0)1954233 144 or email us info@truescience.co.uk

The answer is yes, temperature is an important factor when making any type of electrochemistry measurement.  

A rise in temperature of a solution will increase the kinetic energy and accelerate the speed of which the ions move around. This will higher the chance the ion you are measuring will hit the sensing tip of the electrode, and therefore increase the mili Vault read out on your meter. It is vital therefore that the temperature of your sample and standards are the same.

​The TRUEscience app will show and record the temperature of the calibration standards and samples automatically. This is good practice, although the best solution is make sure your standards and samples are same temperature, it is possible to make a manual correction estimate after measurement via the Nernst equation. Take a look at our video of ISE calibration on the TRUEscience app.

 Ionic strength adjustment buffers are required to make accurate ion measurements using ion selective electrodes (ISEs). ISEs can be used to test a wide range of ions and for many applications such as potassium in soil or chloride in water.
 
When you have a solution with a large number of ions the individual ions move less freely and with have an increased number of interactions with each other. As the ion concentration increases, it decreases the chance that the specific ion you are measuring will come into contact with the ion sensing electrode. This can mean that even if there is a large amount of the ion in your sample, if your sample is highly concentrated with ions, your electrode won't be read as a high concentration, as if your solution has a low overall ion concentration.  

ISABs are used to counteract this issue. They are made from a high ionic strength solution, and is added in equal amounts (normally 2ml to every 50ml) to all the of the standards and samples. Once the ISAB is added it equalises the ionic strength for the standards you care calibrating your meter with and the standards you are measuring.