Metrological traceability of moisture/water content measurements

Abstract

This paper explains advantages and disadvantages of the measurement methods for moisture and water content determinations in plant-based materials, in order to identify the method providing the best metrological features. The term “moisture” is generic and it does not identify a specific measurand. In this sense, to declare proper Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) and to develop Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), a better specification of the measurand should be given. Currently, no CMCs for moisture or water content measurements in the plant-origin bulk materials, as well as respective CRMs, are available in the Key Comparison Database (KCDB) published on the website of the Bureau International del Poids et Mesures (BIPM). Undoubtedly, those CMCs and CRMs, characterised for water content, are crucial and essential to provide metrological traceability of measurement results for the quality assessment of plant-origin bulk materials in the agricultural sector