Quality Control Analyser
The CDR DrinkLab provides rapid, accurate testing of a broad range of non-alcoholic beverages
Quality control for soft drinks manufacturers
Rapid, accurate testing alternative to external labs
Faster analysis, correlates with reference methods
Disposable reagents, no hazardous chemicals
Chemical Tests for Soft Drinks
The CDR DrinkLab is a valuable tool for ensuring consistent quality in soft drinks, helping producers maintain high standards and recipe integrity, from small batches to large-scale production. Soft drinks, whether made with still or carbonated water, enriched with flavours, sugars, sweeteners or other ingredients, can be analysed quickly and accurately with the DrinkLab. The analyser can measure critical parameters in products such as flavoured sodas, fruit-based drinks, tonic waters, iced teas, coffees and functional beverages.
With the CDR DrinkLab, it’s possible to analyze key quality parameters in soft drinks such as caffeine, organic acids, phosphoric acid and even trace amounts of alcohol. These analyses help ensure product consistency, safety, and compliance with labeling requirements.
Test results obtained with the CDR DrinkLab correlate with the reference method and the analyser is simple to use. The software guides the user step by step through the tests and pre-filled reagent vials simplify sample preparation. Tests are completed in a few minutes, facilitating real time process adjustments and improving quality control.
Parameters – caffeine, organic acids, phosphoric acid and alcohol
Try Before You Buy
The DrinkLab is available for a demonstration or a short term trial.
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Multitiple Sample Analysis
Multitiple Parameter Analysis
Soft Drinks Tests
Acidity
Measuring the acidity of soft drinks is essential to ensure taste, quality and safety. Acidity influences flavour and contributes to the product’s stability over time.
Caffeine
Measuring caffeine in soft drinks, particularly in energy drinks, is essential to ensure safety, compliance and product quality control. High doses of caffeine, typical of these beverages, can have significant physiological effects. Precise quantification of caffeine content enables accurate product labeling and compliance with current regulations.
Malic Acid
L-malic acid is oxidized in an alkaline environment through an enzymatic reaction and converted to oxaloacetic acid, which in turn produces NADH. The increase in absorbance, measured at 366 nm (end-point), is directly proportional to the concentration of L-malic acid in the sample.
Phosphoric Acid
Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄) plays a key role in soft drinks. It is used to lower the pH of these beverages, helping to balance the sweetness of sugar or sweeteners and to enhance the overall flavour profile. Measuring the phosphoric acid content makes it possible to maintain a consistent taste profile, ensuring that each production batch presents the same organoleptic characteristics, while also preserving the quality and shelf-life of the beverage.
Alcohol
The determination of alcohol by volume in soft drinks is essential to ensure regulatory compliance (limit <0.5% vol.), consumer safety, and product quality and reliability. It serves to detect unwanted fermentations, validate raw materials and optimize production processes, reducing both costs and organoleptic defects.
Citric Acid
Citric acid can be added to soft drinks as an additive to regulate the acidity of the product. Its presence lowers the pH, creating an environment that is unfavorable to the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and thus helping to extend the shelf life of the product. Too low a content can compromise preservation, while excessive levels can alter the flavour.
pH
Measuring the pH in soft drinks is important to ensure product quality, safety, and stability. An acidic pH (generally between 2.5 and 4) helps prevent the growth of microorganisms, prolonging the shelf life of the beverage. It also affects taste, the effectiveness of preservatives and the stability of flavours and colours. Keeping pH under control is essential to ensuring a safe and pleasant product for the consumer.
Sugars
Measuring sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) in soft drinks is essential to ensure product quality, guaranteeing that each batch maintains the same level of sweetness, preserves a taste consistent with market expectations, and complies with the concentration stated on the label.
How It Works
Features
Innovative Technology
The use of innovative photometric technology means the reading cell guarantees high sensitivity, a very wide measuring range and excellent repeatability of the analysis results thanks to innovative LED light sources with fixed wavelengths (ultraviolet – visible spectrum, power up to 6 O.D.).
Online Help
The system is easy and intuitive, everyone can use it. Analyses are carried out in just a few steps. In addition, it has a help function that guides you step by step through the test procedures.
Multitasking Mode
The multitasking mode reduces analysis time by making it possible to perform several analyses of the same sample simultaneously, or different determinations of the same parameter on a batch of different samples. During an analysis session you can start another one and put the first one in the background. You can return to background analysis with one click.
Internal Memory
The analyser is equipped with an internal memory capable of storing thousands of analysis results that can be viewed on the display or exported via the USB or Ethernet port.
Barcode/QR Code Reader
The analyser connects with barcode or QR code readers. The sample code is automatically displayed on the analyser. It is possible to associate all the analyses performed on that sample.
PC/Intranet Connection
You can share analysis results by connecting the analyser to your intranet via the Ethernet port or export them by connecting the analyser via the USB port to a host computer.
Maintenance/Service Free
No calibration is necessary because the instrument is supplied pre-calibrated. The analysers use LED light sources and therefore no periodic maintenance is required.
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Specification
DrinkLab
Samples Analysed Simultaneously: 16
Calibration: Pre-calibrated. No periodic calibration is necessary
Storage of Results: Sufficient internal memory for storing thousands of analysis results in CVS and XML files compatible with all database formats (e.g., XLS, SQL)
Photometric Module: Up to 6 wavelengths in 4 reading cells
Incubation Module: 37 ° C thermostated block with 16 positions
Barcode/QR Code Scanner Connection: Bluetooth
Display: 5.7” TFT colour LCD with touch screen
Connectivity
1 USB port type B for transferring the performed analysis database, configuration and software update, PC connection
1 USB port type A for technical service and computer connection
1 Ethernet port (LAN) for connection to intranet
Bluetooth 4.0
Printer: 80 mm wide printer with integrated graphics
Dimensions: 32 x 29.5 x 13 cm (W x D x H)
Weight: 2.80 kg
Power supply: 24 V