Traditionally a refractometer is used, this instrument uses a prism to determine the amount of sugar in the grape. Although this is a very accurate instrument, it is too expensive and delicate to issue each picker or harvester with one. The result is that pickers rely on tasting the grape berry to determine the sugar content. This is a very inaccurate and uncomfortable method.
When grapes are harvested, especially table grapes, it is essential that the grapes
are harvested at the right sugar concentration or content. When grapes are
harvested for the export market, it is even more important to harvest them at
the right ripeness because grapes with too low sugar content will be rejected.
What table grape producers needed was a, relatively accurate, low cost and easy
to use device with a fast reading to enable them to issue one to each of their
laborers, independent of their level of skills.
The Brixmaster is a mechanical device, using the specific gravity to determine the
sugar contents of the grapes. The higher the sugar level, the higher the specific
gravity of the grape, and vice versa.
The Brixmaster will not give a direct reading, but will, within seconds, indicate if
the grape is above or below the sugar level tested for.
How this is done:
A calibration solution is made up for the sugar level to be tested for. The Brixmaster is filled with this solution, the pickers can secure the Brixmaster to their waists using the belt clips. To test a grape berry, the picker will put the grape into the Brixmaster with the solution, if it floats the sugar content is too low and the bunch cannot be picked, if it sinks, the sugar content is right and the bunch can be picked.
The grape being tested test can be removed by taking the strainer out of the
solution using the finger holes and empting it before replacing it again. If the solution level in the Brixmaster drops too low, it can be topped up with new solution.
Advantages of the Brixmaster:
The device is simple to use so that unskilled workers will be able to use it and is low in cost so that every picker can be issued with one, results are known in seconds. The Brixmaster is made from high impact resistant material.
The cost of the Brixmaster is less than a tenth of the cost of a refractometer and
the cost of the calibration solution will be minimal.
For more information:
Johan van der Hoven
Prospective Innovations cc
Tel: +27 79 730 7777
[email protected]