Description

ICUMSA 600-800 is a type of consumable brown sugar that is generally regarded as being very tasty on porridge1. ICUMSA stands for the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis, which is a regulatory body that sets the global standard for sugar quality control. The ICUMSA test evaluates the purity of sugar based on its color. Any sugar above ICUMSA 800 is not suitable for human consumption and needs to undergo further refining to remove bacteria and other contaminants. Sugar has been part of the human diet since ancient times. Traditional table sugar, or sucrose, is a carbohydrate (disaccharide) extracted from sugarcane or sugar beet using physical processes. Most of the sugar consumed in the world is produced in Asia and South America. Whether through direct consumption or through processed foods, almost everyone, everywhere, consumes sugar daily. The quality of sugar is based on several criteria, such as color, sucrose content, moisture, grain, and filterability. Among these criteria, color is the most important characteristic of sugar, as it is directly related to its purity. Compared to brown sugar, white sugar has undergone more refining and contains fewer contaminants and chemicals, so it is purer. The ICUMSA color test employs a colorimeter or photometer to measure the absorbance of sugar at different wavelengths. White sugar absorbs less light and results in lower ICUMSA values, while brown sugar absorbs more light and gives higher values. Typically, an ICUMSA value of 45 indicates a highly refined white sugar with high purity, while brown sugar will have an index around 1000. The ICUMSA test allows sugar producers to evaluate the quality and safety of their products and market them at an appropriate price. Competition is fierce in this industry, so sugar producers need fast, simple, and accurate solutions for their quality control tests.