ANKOM FLEX Analyte Extractor

This fault indicates a System Integrity Failure.  One or more vessels did not reach or hold pressure properly. To resolve an MF1 fault:
1. Confirm the Low N2 setting is: 2.6 - 3.0 PSI.  See Section 6.7.2 of the User's Manual. 
2. Tighten red caps on the vessel ports
3. Remove vessels and verify the glass portion and vessel bottoms  are fully connected.
4. Contact ANKOM if problem persists.

In the event of a Drain Time-out Fault (MF7) or an Abort during a Drain Module, users must flush the lines beneath the vessels to clear the residue prior to starting a new run.  For more information, refer Section 17 of the updated ANKOMFLEX Operator’s Manual at: https://www.ankom.com/sites/default/files/document-files/FLEX_Manual.pdf

Samples that drain slowly, or plug filter, can be pretreated with amylase to aid draining.  Contact ANKOM for more information.

This fault indicates a System Integrity Failure.  One or more columns or round bottom flasks  did not reach or hold pressure properly. To resolve an MF24 fault:
1. Confirm the Low N2 setting is: 2.6 - 3.0 PSI.  See Section 6.7.2 of the User's Manual. 
2. Unlock Column Lock
3. Remove columns to evaluate if there is any damage. Do not use a cracked or damaged column.
4. Wipe column top o-ring with dampened paper towel.
5. Wipe inner rim of column with dampened paper towel.
6. Verify tan column bottom adapters are tight.
7. Reinstall columns and rotate 1/4 turn clockwise.
8. Contact ANKOM if problem persists.
 

The ANKOM^FLEX Vitamin and Cholesterol analysis run time is a little over two hours. Technician time is only 5-10 minutes of set-up prior to running the instrument. This includes weighing samples into each digestion vessel and loading the digestion vessels, recovery vessels and columns onto the instrument. After the method has finished, the user must reconstitute the isolate and quantify chromatographically. 

The ANKOM^FLEX Total Fat analysis run time is a little over two hours. Technician time is only 5-10 minutes of set-up prior to running the instrument. This includes weighing samples into each digestion vessel and loading the digestion vessels, recovery vessels and columns onto the instrument. After the method has finished, the user must transfer the isolated fat for gravimetric analysis or fatty acid profiling.

One ANKOM^FLEX run includes four assays will be completed in approximately two hours. Therefore, in an 8-10 hour workday, the instrument can be run four times, resulting in 16 assays per day, and 80 assays per 5-day work week.

The ANKOM^FLEX can process up to 10g of sample, depending on sample type.

Samples that typically require a large sample size, are samples with low analyte content, such as juice, or samples with poorly dispersed analyte, such as animal feeds.

If LOQ is an issue, please contact ANKOM for analytical support and guidance.

All food and feed samples can be run on the ANKOM^FLEX. 

The ANKOM^FLEX method saponifies at 75°C for 45min in accordance with official methods. However, the temperature can be reduced if desired and the duration of saponification can be adjusted.

The ANKOM^FLEX employs SPE (Solid Phase Extraction) as the extraction method, therefore eliminating emulsions. 

The expectation is vitamin K is an assay that can be run however the method has not been validated at this time. The ANKOM^FLEX is a versatile instrument with many potential applications.

Yes, the extraction process, and method, are the same as the fat-soluble vitamin extraction.

Yes, a check sample can be purchased on the ANKOM website, SKU:FLEX65  https://www.ankom.com/product-catalog/check-sample-infant-formula

The SPE column contains silica-based sorbent.

The SPE columns and vessel filters can only be purchased through ANKOM.

Maintenance is low. At the end of the day, the digestion vessel spray nozzles, digestion vessel bases and SPE column top rings must be wiped clean with a wetted towel.  Some o-rings require replacement generally after about 200 runs.

No. The digestion vessels must not be left assembled for extended periods of time (e.g. overnight). If digestion vessels are left assembled for extended periods of time, the O-rings in the vessel bottom assemblies will deform and future integrity could be compromised. If digestion vessels have been left assembled overnight, disassemble and allow to reshape for an hour or use another vessel bottom assembly base.  It is very important to thoroughly clean the digestion vessels and vessel bottom assemblies after use. Use water, and NOT ethanol or acetone, as final rinse solution.

The preprogrammed vitamin methods are based on a combination of the following official methods:
AOAC 2011.07: Determination of vitamin A in infant formula and adult nutritionals by UPLC-UV
EN-12823-1: Determination of vitamin A in foodstuffs by HPLC 
EN-12822:  Determination of vitamin E in foodstuffs by HPLC

The current software will not allow for remote monitoring. This functionality may be added in future software versions.

Yes, the flow path consists solely of chemically inert materials. 

The extraction process utilizes positive pressure at ~2.8psi.

The ANKOM^FLEX can run one to four samples during a run. This is configured through the User Interface at the start of the method. Each time the instrument is run, all four vessels, SPE columns and round bottom flasks must be installed. Only the identified positions will receive solutions.

The ANKOM^FLEX runs one method at a time. All four positions on the instrument run the selected same method and are controlled in unison; the positions are not independently controllable.

The current method uses 250L nitrogen per run of 4 assays.

We suggest a purity of 99.998% nitrogen or purer as it is used to expedite solvent evaporation.  We have not tested less pure nitrogen and therefore cannot validate that it will not adversely affect analyte recovery.

Nitrogen is used to create an oxygen free environment, expedite solvent evaporation, and for the general function of mechanical components. 

Tips to avoid vessel leaks:
1. Do not spray water directly on the filter, spray on the side of the vessel, so that it will flow onto the filter without force. You could also spray onto the mixer.  
2. Always add the stir bar to the vessel before weighing in sample or water.
3. Samples that contain fat, such as infant formula, will eventually leak through the filter if it is allowed to sit in the vessel for extended periods of time. We advise that vessels are loaded onto the ANKOM^FLEX within approximately 1 hour of weighing liquid samples into the vessels.
4. Wash vessels and vessel bottom assemblies bases with hot soapy water after use. After washing, rinse vessels and vessel bottom assemblies with clean water, then, use a wash bottle to squirt clean water into the o-ring groove of the vessel bottom assembly to remove any alcohol that may be trapped behind the o-ring. Residual alcohol in the o-ring groove of the digestion vessel bottom assembly may compromise the hydrophobic nature of the filter. 
5. When weighing fat samples, such as oil, add the water to the vessel first to create a hydrophobic layer between the fat and the filter.  Then add the oil on top.
6. Add internal standards, through ports, once vessels have been installed on the ANKOM^FLEX and vessel tops are closed.
7. Do not use vessels that are chipped or damaged on the bottom outside edge.

No. The instrument exhaust lines (both waste and vent lines) are trapped and ready to be connected to an exhaust system.

Sorbant Disposal Bags hold spent sorbant from four SPE columns  while allowing solvents to evaporate overnight in a hood.  Dispose of the empty SPE columns and Disposal Bags using your internal hazardous waste SOPs and SDS guidelines.  
Sorbant Disposal Bags are available at: https://www.ankom.com/product-catalog/sorbent-disposal-bag-20-count

Carry-over is extremely low (~0.08%) and therefore undetectable for most food and feed samples.  When running concentrates, such as vitamin supplements, use a wash bottle to rinse the round bottom flask adapters with hexane prior to the next run to eliminate all carry over. 

A nitrogen generator can be used as long as it meets the following requirements for proper operation of the FLEX instrument:

• N2 purity, Industrial Grade (Grade 4.8) which is 99.998% or purer
• N2 Flowrate of 10LPM at 6.9 bar minimum
• Supply N2 pressure 5.5-6.9 bar (80-100 psi)