An easy way to learn all about water activity

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Dec 1, 2005

DVD provides an in-depth guide to the theory behind water activity, and contains a wealth of practical information on the concept and its use it as part of a quality control system

Labcell is offering a free DVD, 'Fundamentals of Water Activity', that is effectively two 90-minute seminars delivered in the most convenient form.

The material is presented by Anthony Fontana, a leading expert in water activity from Decagon Devices, which is one of the world's foremost manufacturers of water activity measuring instruments.

As well as providing an in-depth guide to the theory behind water activity, the DVD also contains a wealth of practical information that can help to make a significant difference to companies new to the concept of water activity as well as those that already use it as part of a quality control system, product development programme, or for process optimisation.

Water activity is a measure of the energy status of the water in a system, which might be a solid or powdered food ingredient, a complex food product, a pharmaceutical component or product, or a cosmetic.

The first part of the DVD shows how water activity affects microbial growth, chemical and biochemical stability and physical properties.

While the main application of water activity measurement is in the control of microbial growth for food safety, it is also widely used for maintaining and improving food quality, extending shelf life, for packaging design and for improving the efficiency of production processes.

When used appropriately, water activity can also assist in the creation of innovative food products that would be virtually impossible to develop in any other way.

Running for three hours, this DVD probably contains as much information about water activity as you are likely to find anywhere else - and certainly more than you will find elsewhere for free, says Labcell.

And the beauty of the DVD format is that viewers can pause, fast-forward, rewind or jump chapters to suit their own needs.

Contact Labcell to request a copy of this free DVD.