Abstract:

A latex sample drying apparatus with a hot radiation box for automatically injecting samples by discs is applied
for the rapid determination of total solids and water content in milk. Important experimental conditions, such as temperature,
heating time and temperature equilibration method, were optimized using an oven drying method (a standard method) as
control for the determination of total solids and water contents in various milk samples. The results showed that the same
accuracy and precision were achieved for the determination of total solids and water contents in one sample by the proposed
method and oven drying method. The drying time required for oven drying method was 3.5 hours, compared to only
2.0 minutes for our method as a more efficient method. Therefore, a novel, simple, rapid, stable and reliable method to
determine total solids and water contents in fresh milk has been established.

Key words: hot radiation pneumatic drying apparatus, milk, total solids, water contents