Determination of Raw Ash
Determination of Raw Ash
Food consists of organic and inorganic parts. Organic parts; while forming nutrients such as protein, fat, cellulose, starch, sugar, inorganic parts; macro elements such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, salt (NaCl) and micro elements such as iron, copper, zinc.
If a food is incinerated after the water has been removed, its ash remains. The remaining ash is inorganic substances found in food. At the end of the combustion process, it may contain different materials such as sand, dust and soil, apart from inorganic materials. That's why the remaining ash is called "Raw Ash".
Raw Ash Determination is performed as a result of burning the food sample at 550 oC for 4-5 hours. At the end of the Raw Ash Determination, the absolute value should not be greater than 0.2.
In the determination of raw ash, it is aimed to detect the presence of inorganic matter and foreign materials such as sand, dust and soil in the food.