Refractometer

A refractometer measures the refractive index of the juice, and the result, expressed in degrees Brix (°Bx), corresponds to the soluble solids content expressed as sucrose equivalent. For tomatoes, it serves as an approximate indicator of soluble dry matter and provides only indirect information about sugar content. It facilitates the comparison of fruits but does not replace an assessment of acidity, aroma, and other characteristics that determine flavor and quality. It must be calibrated before measurement, and fruits should be compared at similar stages of ripeness and temperature, cleaning the prism after each sample.