Turbidity in Wine and Bentonite Check Meter

The HI83749 Portable Turbidity and Bentocheck Meter is specially designed for measurement of turbidity in wine. The instrument is based on a state-of-the-art optical system which guarantees accurate results, assures long term stability, and minimizes stray light and color interferences. It also compensates for variations in intensity of the lamp, although proper calibration ensures measurements are fully validated, comparable, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. The 25 mm round cuvettes composed of special optical glass guarantee the repeatability of turbidity measurements. 

Features at-a-glance

AMCO AEPA-1 Primary Turbidity Standard - The AMCO AEPA-1 supplied standards are recognized as a primary standard by the USEPA. These non-toxic standards are made of styrene divinylbenzene polymer spheres that are uniform in size and density. The standards are reusable and stable with a long shelf life.

Calibration – A two, three, or four-point turbidity calibration can be performed by using the supplied (<0.1, 10, 100, and 500 NTU) standards. Calibration points can be modified if user-prepared standards are used.

Fast Tracker™ - For users taking measurements throughout the winemaking process, the HI83749 is equipped with Fast Tracker™ - Tag Identification System (T.I.S.) that makes data collecting and management simpler than ever. Fast Tracker™ allows winemakers to record the time and location of a specific measurement or series of measurements using iButton™ tags on specific tanks for quick and easy readings. Each iButton® tag contains a computer chip with a unique identication code encased in stainless steel.

GLP Data – The HI83749 features complete GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) functions that allow traceability of the calibration conditions. Data includes calibration points, date, and time.

Data Logging – Up to 200 measurements can be stored in the internal memory and recalled at any time.

Data Transfer – For further storage or analysis options, logged data can be downloaded to a Windows compatible PC using the RS232 or USB port and the HI92000 software.

Backlit Display – A backlit LCD display provides an easy to understand, user-friendly interface. Displayed codes guide the user step-by-step through routine operation and calibration. 

Significance of Use

Unrefined wine is quite turbid and hazy from suspended solids produced during fermentation. The unrefined wine is treated with fining agents to reduce cloudiness. This cloudiness is what winemakers refer to as protein haze, or haze for short. Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) and chitinases are the primary grape proteins responsible for haze formation. These positively charged proteins degenerate and stick together, resulting in undesirable flocculent clouds and visible haziness.

The prevention of protein haze or deposit in bottled white wines is a universal concern and often a wine needs to be stabilized before bottling. One commonly used stabilization agent is bentonite. Bentonite is a volcanic clay earth type fining agent (like kaolin) that acts as a wine stabilizer. It improves the clarity of wine but has also negative aspects because of the volume of lees formed, reduction of tannin and color. Since there are different types and qualities of bentonite with different capacity of protein removal, it is important to make laboratory trials with the same lot and wetting degree of the bentonite as that will be used in the cellar.

Protein stabilization is normally not a problem in bottled red wines because of the relatively high concentration of phenols that binds and precipitates with the unstable proteins before bottling. Often bentonite is added to red wines at a level of about 12 g/hL (1 lb/1000 gal), reducing colloidal suspended particles thus improving membrane filterability.

Wines with low phenols contents, such as rose, light reds and whites should be checked for protein stability before bottling. Hanna offers a rapid test to verify the risk of future protein haze formation. If protein instability is detected, a next test can help defining the right amount of bentonite to be added for improving protein stability. It is important not to overdose bentonite, avoiding stripping wine flavour, body, and significant loss of color, especially in young red wines. Moreover, adding only the necessary amount of bentonite to obtain the desired protein stability results in a reduction of costs.

Winemakers can determine the initial turbidity of the unrefined wine with the HI83749 turbidity measurement instrument. After taking a turbidity reading the pre-made HI83749-20 Bentocheck Solution is added to the wine sample. A second turbidity measurement is taken. If the second turbidity reading is less than the initial turbidity reading plus 2 NTU, the wine can be considered stable. Otherwise a fining trial can be performed to determine the amount of bentonite that must be added to stabilize the wine.

HI-83749 Turbidity & Bentocheck Meter is supplied complete with: • Six sample cuvettes and caps • Four calibration cuvettes (HI83749-11) • Bentocheck reagent (HI83749-0) and Silicone oil (HI93703-58) • One 1000 µL automatic pipette with two tips and Instructions sheet • Four 25 mL glass vials with caps • One 1 mL syringe with two tips; one Funnel; Filter paper (25 pieces) • Five tag holders with tags (HI920005) • Tissue for wiping the cuvettes • Four 1,5V AA batteries • AC Adapter • Instruction manual • Instrument quality certificate • Rugged carrying case