Groundbreaking Technology
ANKOM Technology is the developer of Filter Bag Technology (FBT). FBT replaces the use of glass crucibles used in Crude, NDF, and ADF Fiber analyses, revolutionizing laboratory processes, research and output. FBT has since expanded into fat extraction, dietary fiber analysis, and more, leading the way in feed and food analysis.
While conventional methods can offer consistency and accuracy, they are susceptible to a variety of errors during transfers and weighing processes, technician intervention, and a lack of procedural control. Filter Bag Technology preserves the primacy of the classical methods while eliminating the risks.
With controlled sample handling, FBT increases precision while eliminating transfer error. A greater filtration area allows for accurate and precise batch processing of a variety of sample types. FBT also improves rinsing steps, providing greater surface area for thorough sample penetration and washing. Encapsulation of the sample in filter bags enables control over parameters.
These improvements create greater solvent-use efficiency and recycling.
- Improves Accuracy & Precision
- Provides Faster, Technician-free Filtering
- Increases Productivity via Batch Processing
- Eliminates Technician Variability
- Eliminates Manual Sample Transfer
- Reduces Costs per Assay
Crude, NDF, and ADF Analyses
With Filter Bag Technology the sample is completely encapsulated allowing for passive filtration and batch processing in automated systems. Continuous filtering greatly reduces operator exposure to solutions and acids, creates ease of handling, and eliminates handling errors. This not only improves safety but increases the number of samples processed per day. As technician time is freed up, operating costs are reduced, and precision and accuracy are improved.
Fiber Filter Bags
The design of the F57 Fiber Filter Bag provides a three-dimensional filter matrix similar to the filtering effect of a glass crucible. With an effective porosity of 25 microns, the F57 Fiber Filter Bag incorporates a process called point-bonding to laminate the various layers of the filter matrix. This process causes some noticeable “points” to be visible, however, this does not affect the porosity or flow characteristics of the material.
The F58 Fiber Filter Bag was designed for customers working with small grind size samples (0.5 – 1.0 mm screens) to support NIR analysis and some samples known for significant pulverization during grinding, regardless of screen size. The effective porosity of the F58 Fiber Filter Bag is 6-9 microns, thus finer than the F57 but with increased flow capacity due to the type of polymer used for the filter matrix. The F58 Fiber Filter Bag provides a three-dimensional filter matrix similar to the filtering effect of a glass crucible.
Fat Extraction
Like Crude, NDF, and ADF analyses, FBT has also advanced fat extraction. ANKOM’s automated fat extractors rely on filter bags to simplify handling and enable batch processing. Technician time is freed up, safety is improved, and operating costs are reduced.
Fat Filter Bags
XT4 Fat Filter Bags have a porosity of 2-3 microns. The materials used support the use of most common organic fat solvents (examples include: petroleum ether, hexane, ethyl ether). The XT4 Fat Filter Bag can encapsulate a wide range of sample types for the fat extraction process.
Dietary Fiber
The development of the dual chamber filter bag provides state-of-the-art technology to deliver a simple, yet high-tech solution to automate dietary fiber analysis. Each compartment is designed to support the unique aspects of the method by enabling the separation of the enzymatic digestion and filtration steps. Its increased filtering surface area allows the entire sample to filter at once and reduces the time needed to filter samples to as little as five minutes for some sample types.
Dietary Fiber Filter Bags
IDF Filter Bags
DF-I Filter Bags are used with the ANKOM TDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer. This bag is used in the upper section to capture the Insoluble Dietary Fiber (IDF) after the enzymatic digestion.
SDF Filter Bags
DF-S Filter Bags are used with the ANKOM TDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer. This bag is used in the lower section to capture and precipitate the Soluble Dietary Fiber (SDF) after the digestion.
Flow Thru Bags
DF-FT Filter Bags are used with the ANKOM TDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer. This bag is used in the upper section when only a Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) value is required. The DF-FT bag allows the entire contents of the enzymatic digestion to flow through to the lower SDF chamber.