Novasine Water activity meter LabStart-AW

Do you need to measure water activity without requiring a lot of resources?

Do you not require a meticulously precise or reproducible aw-value identification for your product? If yes, the LabStart is the ideal water activity meter for you. This meter is designed for individuals new to measuring water activity and naturally incorporates the reliable Novasina technology, our resistive-electrolytical sensor.

Advantages:

Reusable SAL-T verification standards Simple starter-level water activity meter Stable base-plate to prevent tipping User-friendly design

Q&A

Why is water activity important?

Water activity indicates how much free (unbound) water is in a sample. It is critical because it influences microbial growth, chemical and enzymatic reactions, and physical properties. Products with high water activity can spoil faster and support microbial proliferation, while low water activity products are often more stable and shelf‑stable. 

What range of water activity can the LabStart‑aw measure?

The LabStart‑aw typically measures water activity from approximately 0.03 up to 1.00 aW, covering most food and related sample types. Within its typical calibration range (e.g., 0.20–0.80 aW), it offers reliable performance for low to medium water activity products. 

How accurate and precise is this water activity meter?

Within its calibration range, the LabStart‑aw can achieve an accuracy of about ±0.03 aW and repeatability/precision of approximately ±0.01 aW. Temperature measurement accuracy is typically around ±0.1–0.15 °C. 

What measurement principle does the LabStart‑aw use?

The meter uses a resistive‑electrolytic sensor to determine water activity of the sample’s headspace. Temperature is measured using an NTC sensor. Because there is no active temperature control, measurement conditions are influenced by ambient temperature. 

Where is this type of meter typically used?

Water activity meters like the LabStart‑aw are used in quality control and product development in the food industry (e.g., bakery, cereals, powdered products), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and pet food manufacturing. Monitoring water activity helps ensure product safety, compliance, and consistency. 

What samples can be measured with the LabStart‑aw?

This meter is suitable for solids, powders, and drier materials where water activity is an important quality parameter. It’s commonly used for products such as baked goods, snack foods, and similar formulations where moisture balance affects stability.

How is the LabStart‑aw calibrated?

Calibration uses reusable SAL‑T reference standards (e.g., salts generating known relative humidity points such as 33% and 75% rH) included with the device. These help ensure the meter provides traceable and reliable water activity measurements over time.