ICUMSA Tests in the Laboratory — The Measurement of ICUMSA Degrees
Quality, consistency and compliance mean everything in the global sugar trade. ICUMSA value is the fundamental and most defining characteristic for sugar quality in terms of color (Know what ICUMSA means). Buyers and refineries, food manufacturers & traders use this measurement for the required standard of sugar grade they require.
This process is important if you are involved in sugar production, trading or perhaps quality control. Equally important, however is having access to reliable and certified ICUMSA testing equipment that you can quickly perform the necessary tests independently.
This guide will help with the following:
- What ICUMSA really means
- Laboratory Determination of ICUMSA Levels
- Why accurate testing is essential
- How our ICUMSA testing instruments can provide you with accurate, laboratory-grade results for worldwide trade
What Is ICUMSA?
ICUMSA International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis — the latter is the international body which determines standard methods for analyzing sugars and sugar product.
ICUMSA 45, ICUMSA 150, or ICUMSA 600 tells you how white a sugar solution is — the lower this parameter for your product, the more light can escape from it.
The ICUMSA value is less and the sugar is whitest.
| ICUMSA Value | Sugar Type |
|---|---|
| 45 | Very high-grade refined white sugar |
| 100–150 | Standard refined sugar |
| 200–600 | Raw or brown sugar |
ICUMSA testing makes sure sugar is the exact color and purity based on international purchasing standards.
Because ICUMSA & Sugar Got Ties
ICUMSA testing is more than just an operation that has to be done, but it keeps faith in the global sugar market essentially.
Without ICUMSA Testing:
- The sugar grade cannot be confirmed by Buyers
- Sellers cannot prove quality
- Refineries cannot control consistency
- Product Standards Outguides Food Manufacturers
Accurate ICUMSA Measurements Allow:
- Exporters to certify sugar shipments
- Importers to verify product quality
- Refineries to monitor refining efficiency
- Show product details in service of shielding food companies
For this reason, professional labs and sophisticated traders opt to invest in high-precision ICUMSA testing equipment instead of trusting their eyes or trying to estimate sugar content.
Methods Used to Estimate ICUMSA Scales at Laboratories
Color determined by spectrophotometer and ICUMSA Scale. This involves shining light through a sugar solution and then measuring how much of the light was absorbed.
The darker the sugar, the more light it absorbs — and thus a higher ICUMSA value.
Step by Step Lab Protocol
Step 1: Sugar Sample Preparation
To do the test, this custom machine weighs out an exact quantity of sugar on a high precision laboratory scale.
Typically:
- 50 grams of sugar
- Soluble in 100 mL of Water
The standardized sugar solution provides repeatable and consistent results.
Step 2: Filtration
The sugar solution is then filtered through a very fine laboratory filter paper.
Purpose:
- Remove insoluble particles
- Remove dust
- Remove air bubbles
This ensures the liquid has no sediments and thus results in accurate light reading.
Step 3: pH Adjustment
The pH of solution needs to be within a certain range (usually around 7.0) for ICUMSA testing.
The pH is stabilized by a buffer solution to avoid color being altered falsely.
Step 4: Spectrophotometer Measurement
The sugar solution is loaded in a quartz cuvette, which goes inside a spectrophotometer.
- Equipment shoots a beam of light (wavelength 420 nm) through the solution
- Measures how much light is absorbed
- The integer value of absorbance is turned into an ICUMSA unit
Step 5: ICUMSA Calculation
The ICUMSA value is quantified by the spectrophotometer software and reflected in terms of ICUMSA.
- Absorbance
- Path length
- Sugar concentration
The official ICUMSA color rating is the result.
Why You Require Industrial ICUMSA Check Devices
ICUMSA testing is only as good as the instruments used, so precision instrumentation is prerequisite.
Small errors in light, temperature or concentration can result in:
- Rejected shipments
- Disputes with buyers
- Financial losses
Specialized ICUMSA testing kits and analysers are therefore preferred over generic tools.
How Do Our ICUMSA Testing Instruments Help in Upkeeping Trade Relations
Our ICUMSA testing solutions take care of all your ICUMSA needs for sugar laboratories, refineries, exporters and quality control professionals worldwide.
Spectrophotometer for ICUMSA Color — Heart of the System
Key Specifications:
- Wavelength for analysis: 420 nm (ICUMSA compliant)
- Photometric accuracy: ±0.002 Abs
- Optical system: High-stability monochromator
- Screen: LCD 法定 ICUMSA 表示
- Calibration: Automatic zero and span
- Type of cuvette: Quartz, 10 mm optical path
- USB and printer data output
- Power supply: 110–240V, global compatible
This device directly calculates light absorption into ICUMSA units eliminating manual errors.
ICUMSA Complete Testing Kit Includes
- ICUMSA-calibrated spectrophotometer
- Quartz cuvettes
- Digital laboratory scale
- pH meter and buffer solutions
- High-grade filter papers
- Distilled water container
- User manual and testing procedures
Everything required to immediately begin conducting industry standard ICUMSA tests.
What Makes Our ICUMSA Testing Equipment Stand Out
- Maintenance of international sugar trading & laboratory standards
- Consistent quality control through repeatable results
- Fast testing for high-volume operations
- Reports/Certificates with digital output
- Continuous long-term laboratory use
ICS-7 delivers precision for testing: ICUMSA 45 refined sugar to ICUMSA 600 raw/winegrade sugars.
ICUMSA Grades You Can Measure
- ICUMSA 45
- ICUMSA 100
- ICUMSA 150
- ICUMSA 300
- ICUMSA 600
Certify sugar for:
- Export contracts
- Refinery output control
- Food manufacturing
- Commodity trading
ICUMSA Testing in Quality Control
ICUMSA testing is compulsory for sugar producers and traders.
Our instruments allow you to:
- Verify every shipment before export
- Avoid disputes with buyers
- Maintain brand reputation
- Meet contract specifications
Conduct your own in-house ICUMSA tests instead of relying on third-party labs.
Designed for Global Use
- Universal voltage
- Multilingual interface
- Standardized ICUMSA methods
- Export-grade packaging
Brings consistency you can trust wherever your lab is.
Return on Investment
Purchasing your own ICUMSA test machine is economical by:
- Reducing lab outsourcing costs
- Preventing shipment rejections
- Speeding up quality verification
- Improving buyer confidence
A few shipments are enough for one instrument to pay itself off.
Our ICUMSA Testing Solutions
- Factory calibrated
- Trade-grade certified
- Easy to operate
- Built for long-term laboratory use
We work with sugar exporters, refineries and quality control labs from more than 30 countries worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how ICUMSA levels are measured is crucial for the sugar business.
Having the correct ICUMSA testing apparatus assures:
- Precision
- Credibility
- Cost efficiency
Using our ICUMSA testing kits and spectrophotometers helps you control sugar quality uncertainties and stand out in the global sugar business.
Providing professional-grade testing equipment essential for credible ICUMSA results buyers will trust.
Refined Sugar Export to South Africa – Buy in Bulk – Sugar export South Africa
