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.

When using an ammonia detecting electrode caring for your electrode is essential in order to extend your equipment’s lifetime. Your electrode should ideally be emptied of solution after every use and stored dry to prevent degeneration and when the electrode is needed it needs to be refilled again.

1. Remove the end cap of the electrode. Half fill the cap with a pipette or other tool.
   
2. Tap the side of the cap gently to remove any air bubbles that could interrupt conduction.
3. Screw the cap into the electrode until the pH meter touches the Teflon membrane. The membrane should not tear or stretch more than the minimum. This means that there will be a thin layer of solution between the membrane and probe.
4. You can then connect the electrode directly to the TRUEscience SMART cap.
   

The TRUEscience Ammonia ion selective electrode is made up of three parts: a flat surface PH electrode, a Teflon membrane located in the end cap and a refillable ammonium chloride solution.

While there are some solid state electrodes to detect ammonium, in order to detect ammonia as a gas an electrode containing a solution is used.  This style of electrode also has a greater precision and can detect down to 1 ppb, when using a solid state electrode the detection limit is often closer to <2 ppm.

For more information about testing ammonia please get in touch with our technical team on info@truescience.co.uk or phone us on +44 1954 233 144. 

The demo app gives you the chance to test all of the TRUEscience digital SMART Cap app features before you buy, without spending a penny.

The values of each cap can be changed at any point via the volume controls and can be recorded with the save reading button. This quickly and automatically records the value currently being read on the cap including temperature and time readings all of which is stored in the “jobs” tab.

Using a magnetic stirrer for laboratory analysis is recommended but not essential. It is however important to ensure the solution is homogeneous and a stirrer will help to achieve this. NOTE: You must continue stirring during measurements as Oxygen is consumed at the membrane surface.

​Required Solutions
Distilled or deionised water will be required to prepare Standards, for storage and to rinse the electrode between measurements.
Zero Oxygen Solution is used to carry out a calibration zero point. This will need to made fresh as they will absorb oxygen.

Short term electrode storage 
Simply reattach the soaker bottle in reverse order of removal. Ensure the soaker bottle has sufficient DI water in it.

Electrode cleaning 
​The TRUEscience galvanic oxygen electrode has no customer serviceable parts. Cleaning is important however, and the electrodes should be rinsed thoroughly in de-ionised water between and after measurements are made, never allow the sample to dry on the electrode. If dirt or any of the sample does dry on the membrane on the tip of the electrode it can be immersed in DI water and ultrasonically cleaned for 30 seconds.

For more information on dissolved oxygen measurement or the TRUEscience system please get in touch with the team by calling +44 1954 233 144 or send us an email info@truescience.co.uk
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Dirty, contaminated electrodes will slow down the response rate and may cause the readings to drift. Make sure your redox electrodes are thoroughly rinsed before and after use to make sure no contamination accumulates. There are a range of different cleaning solutions which can be applied to the electrode based on contaminant for example 0.1 molar HCL can be used for oil and grease deposits, pepsin or HCL can be used for blockage due to proteins. ORP/Redox electrode tips (Platinum rods or discs) may need additional cleaning from time to time with Crocus (mild abrasive) paper.

For more help on cleaning electrodes for your specific application or redox measurements in general please get in touch with us by ringing +44 1954 233 144 or send us an email using info@truescience.co.uk. 
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