ATAGO HHR-2N Honey Moisture Handheld Refractometer

Overview

The ATAGO HHR-2N Honey Moisture Handheld Refractometer is a precision optical instrument engineered specifically for rapid, field-deployable determination of moisture content in raw and processed honey. It operates on the fundamental principle of refractometry—measuring the refractive index (n_D) of a honey sample at ambient temperature and converting it to moisture percentage via a pre-calibrated, honey-specific scale traceable to internationally recognized reference methods (e.g., AOAC Official Method 969.37 and ISO 21542:2020). Unlike general-purpose Brix refractometers, the HHR-2N employs a proprietary optical scale optimized for the unique sucrose–glucose–fructose–water matrix of honey, minimizing bias from invert sugar interference and ensuring high reproducibility across apiary, processing, and regulatory inspection environments.

Key Features

• Optimized optical path design with high-contrast, temperature-compensated (non-thermally regulated) scale calibrated exclusively for honey moisture (12.0–30.0% w/w)
• Robust, ergonomic aluminum housing rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance—suitable for use in humid packing rooms, beekeeping fields, and warehouse QC stations
• Zero-adjustment screw and built-in daylight illumination system ensure consistent readability under variable ambient lighting conditions
• No batteries or electronics required—fully mechanical operation ensures long-term reliability, minimal maintenance, and compliance with intrinsic safety requirements in food-grade facilities
• Meets ATAGO’s internal manufacturing standards aligned with JIS B 7021 (Refractometers) and supports traceability to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan) certified reference solutions

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HHR-2N is validated for use with unfiltered, filtered, and heat-treated honey samples exhibiting typical viscosities (2–10 Pa·s at 20 °C). It accommodates both liquid and semi-crystallized samples after brief warming to ≥25 °C to ensure homogeneity. The instrument does not require sample dilution or solvent addition. Its measurement range aligns with Codex Alimentarius Standard CXS 12-1981 and EU Directive 2001/110/EC, which specify maximum permissible moisture content of 20.0% for most commercial honeys to inhibit osmotolerant yeast (e.g., Zygosaccharomyces rouxii) proliferation. While the device itself lacks active temperature control, its scale incorporates empirical temperature correction coefficients derived from interlaboratory studies conducted per ISO 5725-2, enabling manual correction when ambient temperature deviates significantly from 20 °C.

Software & Data Management

As a purely analog, non-digital instrument, the HHR-2N does not interface with software or generate electronic data streams. All readings are manually recorded by the operator. This architecture eliminates concerns related to firmware validation, cybersecurity, or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—making it inherently suitable for GLP- and GMP-regulated environments where paper-based records are formally maintained and auditable. Users may integrate HHR-2N measurements into LIMS or ELN systems via standardized manual entry protocols using defined SOPs (e.g., SOP-HNR-003 v2.1), including mandatory documentation of ambient temperature, sample lot ID, analyst initials, and calibration verification date against ATAGO-certified standard solution (Cat. No. 3820).

Applications

• On-site moisture verification during honey harvesting and extraction to prevent premature storage of high-moisture batches
• Pre-shipment quality gate checks at packers’ facilities prior to labeling and distribution
• Regulatory surveillance testing by national food safety authorities conducting market monitoring programs
• Research applications in apicultural science for correlating moisture content with hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation kinetics and diastase activity retention
• Training tool in food technology curricula for teaching core principles of optical property–composition relationships in complex carbohydrate matrices

FAQ

Does the HHR-2N require calibration before each use?
Yes—calibration with ATAGO’s certified honey moisture standard solution (3820) is recommended prior to first use each day and after any physical shock or temperature excursion exceeding 10 °C.
Can the HHR-2N measure other viscous liquids such as maple syrup or molasses?
No—the scale is mathematically derived from honey-specific refractive index–moisture regression models and is not transferable to other matrices without documented revalidation per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7.
Is the instrument compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 for accredited testing laboratories?
The HHR-2N itself is not accredited, but it is routinely used within ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs as part of validated test methods—provided calibration, environmental controls, and uncertainty budgets are fully documented per Clause 7.6 and 7.8.
What is the expected service life under routine agricultural use?
With proper cleaning (using lint-free cloth and distilled water only) and storage in the supplied protective case, the optical prism and scale typically maintain metrological integrity for ≥10 years, consistent with ATAGO’s published MTBF data for handheld refractometers in food applications.