Factors for Variations in Measurements Among Methods

Moisture content determinations may vary depending upon the testing method used. The following are reasons for these variations:

1. Some of the water may actually be chemically bound as a constituent of the product itself. For techniques that involve chemical reactions, some of the reagents may react with some of the bound water.

2. Most biological materials contain volatile compounds which are also driven off when heat is applied.

3. Heating may break down some of the constituents and water may be one of the products of this decomposition.