Why not experiment with easy pH science techniques to increase plant growth? This article will simply explain what soil pH is; what effect soil pH has on nutrient availability and plant growth; how to measure it and optimise soil conditions. It is vital to know the pH of soil, because most South African soils are …

Consumers and regulators are concerned about the safety of fruits, vegetables, salad and other ready-to-eat products. This includes preventing contamination from both pathogens and chemical contaminants. In South Africa, chlorine is often used to disinfect the wash water for salads. The use of chlorine can lead to contamination of the product with chlorinated chemicals. As …

October 2018 A new study by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Energy has found that when an El Niño or a La Niña forms in the future, it likely to cause more extreme weather over many land regions – intensifying changes to temperature, rainfall and wildfires. Model simulations of the …

Learn why and how food manufacturers need to measure the sodium (Na+) and salt (NaCl) content in food samples. Why we need to measure and control sodium content in food products: High dietary sodium intake increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure and heart disease In 2010, 1 out of every 10 cardiovascular deaths …

If you look after the LAQUA Electrodes carefully, they can last for two to three years. It is advisable to keep at least one spare electrode if you do frequent testing. Alternatively, you could order a replacement electrode only when your electrode ages and shows signs of incorrect readings. Replacement of the entire pocket meter …

Are you aware of the open source internet tools that have been developed to help make better decisions around weather and water management? They can help you to see where water is going, help save water and save time by using plans that other people have spent years working on. Many people and organisations are …

If you would like to achieve accurate and repeatable measurement results from colorimeters, photometers or spectrophotometers, it is vital to make sure that the glass cells (also known as cuvettes) are well cleaned, because fingerprints and dirt can lead to large errors. Precision glass cells are also expensive because they are especially made with a …

A quick overview of how you can improve your cleaning and sanitising process in an industrial situation. With food-borne illness on the rise, along with climate change and other growth factors, such as improved surveillance tools and quick identification, manufacturers need to work hard in order to produce a safe product and regain consumer trust. …

Food and beverage industries are required to conduct and monitor a hygiene programme by legislation. Food safety regulations in South Africa have been lax, but the listeriosis outbreak in 2018 that claimed the lives of over 200 people, has brought more focus to current legislation, which has been amended. The R638 “Regulations Governing General Hygiene …

Illustration of Salmonella bacteria cell structure by John Bavosi 1. Salmonella is a bacteria that triggers one of the most common foodborne illnesses in people all over the world, causing Salmonellosis, with diarrhea as a main symptom, and also typhoid fever. 2. Salmonella lives in the digestive tracts of animals, birds and people. 3. People …

Understand the effect of ethylene on ripeness of fresh produce with these great infographics and learn to control ethylene levels, in order to extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. What is Ethylene? Ethylene is a gas produced by petroleum and natural gas, that also occurs as a natural plant hormone It affects plants …

What is Electrical Conductivity in Water? Electrical Conductivity (EC) refers to the ability of water to conduct electricity. The conductivity of water is an electrical measure of the amount of inorganic salts in a solution. These include chemical salts and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron and other ions Ions are also known as …