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Replacement of the dryer completely depends upon how often it is used to dry hydrolysis samples. The filter should be changed when the filter bags do not dry sufficiently after hydrolysis at 110°C for three hours (adding pH paper in the desiccant...
When using the ANKOM Rapid Dryer to dry acid hydrolysis samples, the airflow through the special hydrolysis filter ( Part #: RD2 ) will eventually become too limited and the filter will need to be changed. To check the air filter for proper airflow...
When samples are dried for three hours after hydrolysis, they should be placed in a desiccant pouch ( Part #: X45 ) with a strip of pH paper. When the bags are fully dry, the pH paper will NOT show the presence of acid.
This can occur with samples that are very low in fat. Moisture left in low-fat samples after extraction is the issue. As AOCS Procedure AM 5-04 indicates, when the Filter Bags are removed from the Extractor, they should be placed in an oven at 100...
You can see unexpectedly high values when hydrolyzing fat samples if the samples are not adequately dried after the hydrolysis step. Possible reasons for insufficient drying include: (1) Dryer is not working properly - Filter needs to be replaced -...
Possible Causes: (1) The vent tube or drain tube is blocked. The blockage is caused by water trapped in the line. It is very important that the vent and drain tubes run downhill and are not submerged in water. If the vent tube is blocked, a vacuum is...
Possible Causes: (1) The dial on the heat sealer may not be turned up high enough. To seal the XT4 Bag, the dial must be set at approximately "6." (2) The heating element is broken. On the sides of the Teflon cover are two shiny metal strips that...
The extraction process utilizes positive pressure at ~2.8psi.
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.
No. The instrument exhaust lines (both waste and vent lines) are trapped and ready to be connected to an exhaust system.
When the lid is raised, some residual acid may flow onto the hinges and the handle. Over time, corrosion will occur if this happens. When lifting the lid after a run, it is recommended that the lid be wiped off with a paper towel to prevent dripping...
If a Mojonnier solvent (pet ether, ethyl ether, ethanol) is utilized, a blank value of 0.0030g is normal. If pet ether or hexanes are used, a blank value of 0.0010g is normal. During the hydrolysis phase, fat migration may occur with samples that...
One ANKOM FLEX run includes four assays and will be completed in approximately two hours. Therefore, in an eight-to-ten-hour workday, the instrument can be run four times, resulting in sixteen assays per day, and eighty assays per five-day workweek...
The FLEX can process up to 10g of sample for vitamin and cholesterol analysis. The sample size maximum is dependent on analyte content, analyte homogeneity within the sample, and sample composition. Samples that typically require 10g sample sizes are...
The SPE column contains silica-based sorbent.
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...
The 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...
Nitrogen is used to create an oxygen-free environment, expedite solvent evaporation, and for the general function of mechanical components.
All food and feed samples can be run on the ANKOM FLEX.
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 FLEX Operator's...
The ANKOM FLEX runs one method at a time. All four positions on the instrument run the same selected method and are controlled in unison; the positions are not independently controllable.
The current method uses 250L nitrogen per run of four assays.
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...
Sorbent Disposal Bags ( Part #: FLEX-SDB ) hold spent sorbent from four SPE columns while allowing solvents to evaporate overnight in a hood. Dispose of the empty SPE columns and Sorbent Disposal Bags using your internal hazardous waste SOPs and SDS...
To determine how much DE to use with various sample types, refer to the Hydrolysis Procedure subsection titled Sample Categorization of the HCl Operator's Manual.
To perform an extraction of oilseeds, refer to Oilseed Extractions (FOSFA Equivalent).
Research with high fat samples has given us the following understandings: Some samples with fats that have low melting point triacylglycerides or emulsifiers may encounter fat migration during hydrolysis. To improve fat retention, increase the level...
Some samples with large amounts of carbohydrates (starches and cellulose) may bind small quantities of solvent and require additional post drying. To remove the bound solvent, dry at 100-105° C for one to three hours.
The ANKOM FLEX Total Fat analysis run time is just under two and a half hours. Technician time is only five to ten minutes of set-up prior to running the instrument. This includes weighing samples into each digestion vessel and loading the digestion...
The FLEX method saponifies at 75°C for forty-five minutes in accordance with official methods. However, the temperature can be reduced, if desired, and the duration of saponification can be adjusted.
No. The FLEX employs SPE (Solid Phase Extraction) as the extraction method, therefore eliminating emulsions.
While the expectation is that vitamin K is an assay that can be run on the FLEX, the method has not been validated at this time. The FLEX is a versatile instrument with many potential applications.
Yes. The extraction process, and method, are the same as the fat-soluble vitamin extraction.
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 FLEX Operator’s Manual. 2. Tighten the...
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 dampened towel. Some O-rings require replacement generally after about two hundred runs. Refer...
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 Overtemp message happens when the ANKOM HCl Instrument is heating but there is no solution in the vessel. The quartz heaters will heat the vessel and the ETS (Emergency Temperature Switches) will trip. Possible Causes: The instrument was not...
View the HCL Periodic Maintenance video .
To understand how to mix DE with various sample types, view the How to mix DE with samples video.
In developing our hydrolysis process, we did extensive research into acid and base hydrolysis. We found that the acid hydrolysis did well with a variety of samples, including those normally hydrolyzed in a base solution, i.e., dairy products. As a...
High Fat Samples are defined as any meat sample with a fat content >20% and any plant sample with a fat content >40%. See XT Service Procedure High Fat Sample Handling (XTS014).
Yes. A check sample, Infant Formula, ( Part #: FLEX65 ) can be purchased on the ANKOM website.
The SPE columns and vessel filters can only be purchased through ANKOM.
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 to Section 17 of the FLEX Operator’s Manual...
The preprogrammed vitamin methods are based on a combination of the following official methods: Vitamin & Cholesterol methods based on: AOAC 2011.07, EN-12823-1, EN-12822 Total Fat method: The test portion is treated under heated hydrochloric acid...
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...
The FLEX Vitamin and Cholesterol analysis run time is a little over two hours. Technician time is only five to ten minutes of set-up prior to running the instrument. This includes weighing samples into each digestion vessel and loading the digestion...
A nitrogen generator can be used as long as it meets the following requirements for the 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...