Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center

Overview
Recognized as a Center of Excellence for Nutrition, the Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center in Des Moines, IA specializes in analyzing feed, commodities, pet food, food and dietary supplements for lipids, proximates, vitamins and minerals.  Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center is one of only 13 Official Referee laboratories for soybean meal and oil certified by the AOCS and NOPA. It is an USDA inspected laboratory.
Challenge
For a number of years the Eurofins Des Moines laboratory relied on the ANKOM²⁰⁰ Fiber Analyzers to support the high volume of Acid and Neutral Detergent Fiber (ADF and NDF) analyses needed on a daily basis.  However, there was a need to expand the number of Crude Fiber analyses performed without having to expand the use of bench space and technician support.  Crude Fiber analysis requires both an acid and base step with rinses after each application.  The nearly three hour method requires multiple technician interventions which can affect precision and accuracy if not controlled properly.  The challenge was to increase analytical volume and decrease technician intervention in a controlled system that would maintain Eurofins standards for precision and accuracy.
Solution
The ANKOM²⁰⁰⁰ Automated Fiber Analyzer delivered a high volume, low maintenance system that would allow a single technician the ability to run up to 24 samples at a time.  Computer controls reduce the need of technician intervention throughout the process, requiring a technician to only have to weigh and seal samples in a filter bag and remove the samples at the end of the process for a final drying step.  Initially, Eurofins maintained the ANKOM²⁰⁰ Fiber Analyzers for detergent fiber methods and used the automated system for Crude Fiber analysis.  Over time Eurofins expanded the number of automated systems and moved ADF, NDF and most of the Crude Fiber to automation in order to keep up with volume demand.