What is Titration?

Titration is an analytical method for determining the concentration of an unknown substance in a sample.

It is a form of quantitative chemical analysis and is used in various industries including: 

  • Food

  • Dairy

  • Water

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Manufacturing.

 The principle behind titration is that you add a solution, known as a titrant, to the sample you wish to analyse. 

The titrant contains a known chemical that will react with the sample substance. 

You add the titrant using a burette. This device allows you to measure the amount of titrant you require exactly. 

Once you do this, a chemical reaction will take place in the sample, changing its characteristics. 

There are different ways of detecting this change, once all the sample substance has reacted with the titrant: 

  • A colour indicator that changes colour when the substance reacts with the titrant, or

  • A sensor that shows a marked change in a measured signal. 

You can calculate the concentration of the substance in the sample by looking at how much titrant was added  to get all of the substance to react. 

 

Why is Titration Used? 

Titration is a proven method for testing  substances in everyday use. It has a broad range of applications, and is long established as a reliable form of analysis. 

 It is a form of detection that enables you to determine an unknown substance and its concentration within an analyte solution.   

It is especially useful for quality control and for measuring the precise proportions of chemicals and ingredients in various products and treatments.

 

Titration Methods 

A titrator is a device for carrying out titration. It includes: 

  • An electric burette, and

  • A sensor. 

The accuracy of the burette is essential for achieving accurate results. Modern titrators use piston burettes to add the titrant. These are made up of a glass cylinder, piston and valve. 

There are different types of sensors, depending on the type of analysis required. 

In a titrator, a preamplifier amplifies the sensor’s signal. 

Titration methods include: 

  • Acid or base

  • Reduction or oxidation (redox)

  • Precipitation

  • Complexometric.

 Acid/base titration is also known as a neutralisation reaction. It uses a pH indicator, and is useful where you’re looking for a precise pH range in the sample substance. 

In reduction or oxidation titration, otherwise known as redox titration, there is a reaction between a reducing agent and an oxidising agent. 

Precipitation titration is where solid precipitates form and do not dissolve in water.  

Complexometric titration is for titrating metal ions that have combined with organic compounds. 

Acid or base titrations require a pH electrode as a sensor. Precipitation titrations use a silver electrode. Redox titrations require a platinum electrode. 

 

How do Different Industries Use Titration? 

In the water industry, titration tests water for various parameters, such as pH and chemical content. 

Performing precipitation titrations is part of the process of removing suspended solids in public water supplies, for example. 

Utility companies must also determine contaminants in wastewater before releasing it into the environment. Titration enables them to do this. 

In manufacturing, titration applies to a diverse set of processes across many different industries, such as: 

  • Textile and apparel

  • Electronics

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Machinery

  • Petroleum

  • Food processing.

 

Titration can analyse purity and content. It supports the preparation of pharmaceutical products and the manufacturing of biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil. 

It is used extensively in product development and quality control. 

In food processing, acid or base titration determines the acidity of fruit juice. Redox titration can measure the amount of vitamin C in orange juice. Precipitation titration is useful for determining salt content in different food products. 

Some food manufacturers use manual titration methods for salt testing. One of the oldest titration methods is the Mohr method, which uses a silver nitrate solution to determine salt content. 

The potentiometric titration method is an automated alternative, measuring changes in membrane potential of the sample substance. 

 

The NIR Alternative to Titration in Food Processing 

Titration is a long-established quantitative analysis method but it can be cumbersome when you apply it to a food processing production line. 

A more rapid and efficient method is near-infrared (NIR) analysis. For salt detection in snack food processing, you can apply NIR techniques above-line or in-line. 

For more details about our extensive range of food testing instruments, please contact us.

Rachael Smith