Introduction Overview Refractometers Handheld Analogue Handheld Digital PAL series Pen-Pro series Palette series Laboratory Analogue (ABBE) Laboratory Digital In-line Polarimeters Application Food & Drink Beer Beverages Condiments Fruit & vegetables Oils and Fats Preserves Wine Chemical Salinity Clinical Dehydration in Sport Drug Free Sport Measurement of Kidney function in Cats and Dogs Clinical refractometers Engineering Automotive Antifreeze and coolant solutions De-icing of aeroplanes Snow melting agent News & Offers	Case Study: Football - Loss of performance through loss of water. Problem: It only takes a loss of 2% of water from the body to impair the performance by 10 - 20% of most normal soccer players. During the course of typical 90-minute game fluid losses through sweating and expelled air can amount to 1 to 4 litres dependant on weather conditions. Reduction of aerobic performance, impaired reaction time, concentration and judgment are all known to be affected. This significant level of dehydration can impair these athletes ability to recover without the appropriate level of re-hydration. Players will take carbohydrate drinks at half time and sometimes during matches, however studies have shown that recorded fluid intakes are more often inadequate being less than 30 % of fluid loss. Outfield players will cover around 10,000 metres during a match and their physical and mental performance will be undermined through depleted muscle glycogen and hydration levels. Professional footballers now have very intense programs with some periods of the season requiring 2-3 matches to be played per week. Coaches are aware of the need to assure appropriate recovery of these athletes and establish suitable nutritional programs for individual players. Solution: Post match recovery is an important factor in maintaining fitness and requires a team approach to assure recovery of hydration and muscle glycogen levels. Methods of measuring recovery rates have until now been based on weight recovery, however this will only provide part of the information required. The measurement specific gravity of urine offers the most accurate non-invasive measurement of hydration level. Monitoring individual footballers urine specific gravity 24 hours after intense training or a match is key to assuring appropriate hydration and recovery. When fluid losses exceed fluid intake between successive training programs or games it is clear a player may start a game or training session already dehydrated. It is essential therefore to establish an appropriate recovery program and for the individual player to understand there fluid requirements. ESSLAB now offer a simple digital method of measurement of urine samples that offers an unequivocal means of testing appropriate re-hydration. How to measure :The Atago PAL-10s and Pen Pro Urine refractometers provide a quick (2 seconds) and clean method of measurements of urine samples. This will aid the player in attaining appropriate levels and type of fluid intake with accompanying carbohydrate and electrolytes.     PAL-10S urine S. G. refractometer Measurement of body mass first thing in the morning (after voiding), in combination with a measure of urine concentration to determine change in fluid balance over time is the recommended method to determine hydration level. A urine specific gravity usg 1.020 is indicative of being hydrated.     "Pen" Refractometer PEN-URINE S.G. The Pen-Urine refractometer in use.     The PAL-10S in use.