As health and wellness take center stage, and people become more critical of the products they consume, understanding the nature of pH has become a focus among consumers. pH values are a growing concern in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, agricultural and water industries. Consumers want to know what is acidic versus basic and how pH can affect the products they use, eat and drink.

What is pH?

From scientific perspective, pH reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions present in a liquid. A low pH means a higher concentration of hydrogen ions; high pH values indicate a lower concentration. Simply defined, pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is.

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being highly acidic and 14 being highly alkaline. A pH value of 7 is considered neutral, which is the pH of pure water. pH is one of the key quality parameters for most products across industries. Each industry has specific pH ranges, which are optimal for product quality.

Why is pH measured?

pH is measured in manufactured products for several reasons.

• Quality control: pH can significantly alter the properties of end products. That is why it is important to control the pH value during production to ensure that the product conforms with the desired specifications.

• Safety: Some products can be harmful at a specific pH and therefore should not be released into the environment where they can harm people or damage equipment. The pH value helps determine whether such a substance is dangerous or safe for consumption.

• Regulations: Various regulations have been put in place to protect citizens from harm caused by dangerous materials. Manufacturers need to maintain specific pH levels to meet these regulatory standards.

• Corrosiveness: Production equipment that encounters with reactants can be corroded if the pH value is not within certain limits. Corrosion shortens the lifetime of the equipment.

• R&D: The pH value is also an important parameter for research purposes such as the study of biochemical processes.

pH in food and beverage

Beer, wine, meat, picked food, ready-to-eat products, soft drinks or any other food items, pH measurements are essential for ensuring product safety, quality and taste. By maintaining the required pH levels, manufacturers can prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.

For instance, among several factors that affect the shelf life and spoilage rate of juice, pH and water activity is the most influential. pH variations can influence flavor, consistency and shelf life. Fruit juices typically have low pH values ranging between 2.0 and 4.5. The low pH of fruit juices is due to the presence of organic acids, which vary with different type of juices.

Similarly, in the meat industry, pH indicates freshness and quality; incorrect levels can indicate spoilage and off-flavors. Fresh meat typically has a pH between 5.5 and 6.2, varying by meat type. If the pH falls below 5.3, it indicates that the meat may be rancid due to poor storage or preservation methods.MT_pH_measurement

pH in pharma

pH plays a key role in drug formulation and stability. Many medications require specific pH levels for optimal solubility and absorption in the body. Monitoring pH during manufacturing processes is essential to ensure product efficacy and safety. It affects a drug's solubility, stability and absorption in the body, which are crucial for its effectiveness. Pharmaceutical companies carefully measure and adjust pH during development to control how quickly a drug is released and how well it works. There are various regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical industry, and having precise pH measurements is crucial to meeting these compliance requirements.

pH in agriculture

pH level impacts soil health, nutrient availability and crop growth. The soil pH influences the solubility of essential nutrients and minerals, with most crops thriving in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range (around 6.0 to 7.0). The high acidic or alkaline values hinder nutrient absorption, effecting overall yield.

pH in water treatment

The pH levels in water treatment influence the solubility and removal of harmful contaminants, including heavy metals, ensuring that the water is safe to drink and compliant with health regulations. It also helps mitigate the corrosiveness of water, protecting plumbing systems and industrial equipment from damage, and reducing maintenance costs.

In wastewater treatment, adjusting the pH is vital for enhancing pollutant removal processes such as coagulation and precipitation, which are crucial for minimizing environmental impact and ensuring the treated water is safe for discharge or reuse.

pH is also important in textile, semiconductors, paints and environmental monitoring. To know more about these applications, visit Mettler Toledo’s Expertise Library. Mettler Toledo offers various advanced pH meters for water treatment applications.