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Water Activity Testing (AOAC 978.18)
Water Activity Testing: Determination of water activity using AOAC 978.18 to support microbial stability, quality control, and shelf-life assessment.
Price per sample:
$150
Additional information
| Turnaround Time | 2 weeks |
|---|---|
| Sample Size | 50 grams |
Water Activity Testing – AOAC 978.18
Water activity testing measures the amount of free, unbound water available in a product. Pentyl Labs performs this analysis in accordance with AOAC 978.18, a standardized method widely used to evaluate microbial stability and product quality.
Water activity differs from moisture content. While moisture content measures total water, water activity indicates how much water is available to support microbial growth, chemical reactions, and physical changes. Because of this distinction, water activity plays a critical role in predicting shelf life and product safety.
Pentyl Labs applies water activity testing to a wide range of products, including foods, cosmetics, personal care items, pharmaceuticals, and other formulated goods. The test provides rapid and reproducible results using controlled temperature conditions and calibrated instrumentation.
Manufacturers commonly use water activity data to assess microbial risk, particularly for products that do not rely on traditional preservatives. Lower water activity values generally reduce the likelihood of microbial growth. As a result, this testing supports preservative selection, formulation optimization, and packaging decisions.
Water activity testing also supports quality control programs. By establishing acceptable water activity ranges, manufacturers can monitor batch-to-batch consistency and identify deviations that may affect stability or safety. This approach helps reduce spoilage risk and improves process control.
In cosmetics and personal care products, water activity testing complements preservative effectiveness testing and microbial challenge studies. Together, these tools provide a more complete understanding of formulation robustness and product performance over time.
The AOAC 978.18 method provides standardized procedures for sample handling, equilibration, and measurement. Following this method ensures consistent results and supports documentation for internal reviews, customer requirements, and audits.
This service is often included within broader Microbiological Testing Services and Stability and Compatibility Testing programs. Guidance from AOAC International defines the method framework used during analysis.
Overall, water activity testing provides practical data that helps manufacturers manage microbial risk, improve product stability, and support confident product release across multiple industries.
Description
Water Activity Testing – AOAC 978.18
Water activity testing measures the amount of free, unbound water available in a product. Pentyl Labs performs this analysis in accordance with AOAC 978.18, a standardized method widely used to evaluate microbial stability and product quality.
Water activity differs from moisture content. While moisture content measures total water, water activity indicates how much water is available to support microbial growth, chemical reactions, and physical changes. Because of this distinction, water activity plays a critical role in predicting shelf life and product safety.
Pentyl Labs applies water activity testing to a wide range of products, including foods, cosmetics, personal care items, pharmaceuticals, and other formulated goods. The test provides rapid and reproducible results using controlled temperature conditions and calibrated instrumentation.
Manufacturers commonly use water activity data to assess microbial risk, particularly for products that do not rely on traditional preservatives. Lower water activity values generally reduce the likelihood of microbial growth. As a result, this testing supports preservative selection, formulation optimization, and packaging decisions.
Water activity testing also supports quality control programs. By establishing acceptable water activity ranges, manufacturers can monitor batch-to-batch consistency and identify deviations that may affect stability or safety. This approach helps reduce spoilage risk and improves process control.
In cosmetics and personal care products, water activity testing complements preservative effectiveness testing and microbial challenge studies. Together, these tools provide a more complete understanding of formulation robustness and product performance over time.
The AOAC 978.18 method provides standardized procedures for sample handling, equilibration, and measurement. Following this method ensures consistent results and supports documentation for internal reviews, customer requirements, and audits.
This service is often included within broader Microbiological Testing Services and Stability and Compatibility Testing programs. Guidance from AOAC International defines the method framework used during analysis.
Overall, water activity testing provides practical data that helps manufacturers manage microbial risk, improve product stability, and support confident product release across multiple industries.
