Determining moisture content is an essential process for various reasons. Official methods of moisture content determination include the following:

1. Gravimetric Method

The sample is weighed before and after drying. The moisture content is calculated by dividing the weight lost by the initial weight.

2. Karl Fischer Titration

This method uses a chemical reaction to determine the water content in a sample. The endpoint of the titration is indicated by a color change or a potentiometric signal.

3. Coulometric Titration

Similar to Karl Fischer titration, this method uses a chemical reaction to determine moisture content. In this method, an electrochemical cell generates iodine, which reacts with the water in the sample.

4. Microwave Drying

Microwave energy is used to heat and dry a sample rapidly. The moisture content is calculated from the weight lost during drying.

5. Near-Infrared Reflectance (NIR) Spectroscopy

NIR spectroscopy measures the moisture content of a sample by analyzing the reflection of light in the near-infrared region. The moisture content is estimated by correlating the spectral data with known moisture values.

These methods provide accurate and reliable measurements of moisture content, and the selection of the appropriate method depends on the accuracy required, the sample type, and the available resources.