Check to ensure the procedures sent with your instrument were followed. Some possible variables that may affect your
results are:
General Problems:
ND chemicals can come out of solution- Heat and stir to bring back into solution.
Oven temperature too hot (102°C-105°C +/-2°C)
Modifying the settings on the Controller
Improper weighing technique-See weighing technique in the Appendix of the manual.
Improper or non-use of the desiccant pouch-A standard desiccator will introduce moisture in the samples as it is being opened and closed. This will cause poor precision.
Low Values:
Grind is too fine
Bag is not completely sealed
Broken seam in bag allowing sample to escape from bag
Digestion run too long (ADF & Crude Fiber)
High Values:
The movement of the bag suspender is less than 1/2" (1.2 cm) up and down. Refer to your A200 Operator's Manual section titled Initial/Periodic Maintenance.
Solution is not heated sufficiently-Perform ANKOM Boil Test (see A200 Service Procedure 6)
ND- Failure to use Alpha Amylase and/or Sodium Sulfite
AD/ND-Sample too high (>5%) in fat and not pre-treated with solvent
Crude Fiber-always pre-soak with acetone
Oven temp low, wet samples introduced next to dry samples-samples are not sufficiently dried.
Lack of or incorrect use of desiccant pouch-check for holes in pouch, packets not dried regularly-refresh desiccant
Rinse water not hot enough (70°C+ ND, AD) (50°C +CF) or not long enough (5 minutes)
Digestion not run long enough
Acetone re-used for removing water from bags post extraction
Improper calculation of blank bag correction or using the wrong values in the formula
Bag sealed too low
Too much sample in the bag
Sample not spread out in the bag
Vessel lid was not closed tightly enough (the tightness of the lid only applies to the A200, A200I, A220)